Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A troublesome hoof abscess kept quality pacer Nevermindthechaos on the sidelines for much of 2023. But now part-owner and trainer Michael Young is looking forward with considerable optimism for the six-year-old performing strongly in feature events for mares this year.
Nevermindthechaos reappeared after an absence of seven months when she was the $1.30 favourite who set the pace and won the 2130m Westral Roller Shutters Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“It was quite frustrating when she had to miss last year’s feature races,” said Young. “She suffered a nasty nearside front foot abscess, and we had to give her plenty of time for the foot to grow back. Now, hopefully, she will be fit to run in all the features for mares this year.”
Nevermindthechaos, driven by Gary Hall Jnr, was smartest to begin from the No. 1 barrier before Aiden De Campo urged the fast-starting $41 chance Cooper to the front after 80m. Hall bided his time before sending Nevermindthechaos back into the lead 200m later, and after opening quarters of 30.6sec. and 29.4sec. she sped over the final 400m sections in 27.7sec. and 28.3sec. to win by a head from $7.50 second fancy Tiger Royal, who finished powerfully after enjoying an ideal passage, one-out and one-back.
Nevermindthechaos rated 1.55.6 and improved her record to 35 starts for 13 wins and 11 placings for stakes of $175,677.
“It turned out more difficult than I wanted it to be,” said Hall. “I think I could’ve held Cooper, but I didn’t see the point. And then I was able to get back in front. She will improve on that effort. I knew that Tiger Royal was coming fast, but I didn’t bash Nevermindthechaos to the line.”
Young said that he was “reasonably happy” with the mare’s performance. “She just wasn’t sharp tonight,” he said. “She can do better, and there is improvement there.”