Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Inexperienced colt Hes Never Been Beta is giving every indication that he will develop into a top-flight three-year-old next year.
The Hes Watching youngster, trained by Gary Hall snr, overcame difficulties before winning the 2130m #Inthegig Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was the $1.30 favourite from the No. 6 barrier, and he raced in the breeze outside the $3.50 second fancy Dourado before he hung down on the bend out of the home straight in the final lap, with his hind leg contacting Dourado’s off side sulky wheel, causing him to pace roughly for a few strides.
Aiden de Campo then attempted to pinch a winning break with Dourado, but after a 27.7sec. quarter down the back and a final 400m of 29.9sec. he was unable to hold out Hes Never Been Beta, who finished powerfully and got to the front in the final few strides.
“For Hes Never Been Beta to do that, and to balance up, and go on and win was pretty impressive,” said reinsman Gary Hall jnr. “He did a big job to win, and I was pretty impressed. His work at home is as good as you could hope from a baby.”
Hes Never Been Beta is the only foal out of Never Been Bettor, who is a half-sister to Herrick Roosevelt, who was trained by Hall Snr and was driven by Hall Jnr for ten of his 14 wins in Western Australia.
Herrick Roosevelt was retired with earnings of $350,624 from 21 wins and 31 placings from 93 starts. He won the Group 2 Christmas Gift at Gloucester Park in December 2017 and finished third behind Ultimate Machete in the Golden Nugget that season.