Written by Paul Vettise
Never Again (High Chaparral {Ire}) is a family horse in more ways than one for trainer Clinton McDonald, who is upbeat about the well-related sprinter’s prospects in Saturday’s Listed Chester Manifold S.
The Flemington feature event contender is raced by the Caulfield-based horseman’s mother Margaret and he also enjoyed outstanding success with Never Again’s half-brother Regal Roller (Regal Classic {Can}).
Regal Roller was a high-class sprinter-miler who was the multiple Group 1 winner of the Futurity S., Invitation S. and the Toorak H. and also retired with a brace of Group 2 victories and two at Group 3 level to his credit.
Clinton and Margaret McDonald
Never Again won’t be reaching those heights, but he continues to be a good money-spinner for the stable with six wins on the board and more than $260,000 in the bank and an account McDonald expects to continue to swell.
“He’s been terrific for us and we bought him at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where we’ve had a bit of luck, for only $140,000,” McDonald said.
“He’s (Never Again) been terrific for us and we bought him at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where we’ve had a bit of luck, for only $140,000.” - Clinton McDonald
Offered at the Melbourne Sale by Maluka Thoroughbreds, Never Again is out of Rollon Rose (Encosta De Lago), whose six foals to race have all been successful.
“I had the dam Rollon Rose and she won a race, but broke down and I had Regal Roller out of the mare. He was a genuine 1400 to 1600 metre horse, although he did run in a G1 Cox Plate,” McDonald said.
In the 2004 edition of the weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley, Regal Roller finished a meritorious fifth behind subsequent super sire Savabeel.
Never Again as a yearling
True to his pedigree, the 6-year-old Never Again has required patient handling.
“He’s just been a typical High Chaparral and taken time to mature. He’s settled mentally now as well and there’s plenty left in the tank, he hasn’t been overly-raced. He’s got good legs and is a nice, sound horse,” McDonald said.
“He’s (Never Again) settled mentally now as well and there’s plenty left in the tank, he hasn’t been overly-raced.” – Clinton McDonald
McDonald believes Saturday’s event lacked the quality and depth of past years and with a light weight, Never Again was firmly in the picture.
“It’s not a vintage Chester Manifold by any means. He’s going there in good form, he’s run well at Flemington before and with only 54kg on his back he’s a live chance,” McDonald said.
“We’ve got this one and the Listed John Dillon S. over 1400 metres planned for him. There’s good prizemoney on offer in these off-season summer races so we’ll chase a bit of coin.”
Never Again is tuned up for the Chester Manifold with a Boxing Day victory under 58.5kg at Caulfield.
“It’s hard to find the right races for him and back in his rating he’d get 60kg, he’s not an overly big horse,” McDonald said.
Never Again has drawn an ideal barrier (five) on Saturday and his fortunes will be guided by Michael Walker.
