Luca Neveelk will head to the forthcoming Golden Easter Egg heats ‘blind’ but trainer Gerry Kleeven believes his Australian Cup winner can still a big threat for the series.
The star Victorian chaser is being primed for the Group 1 series after his superb victory in the $250,000-to-the-winner race at The Meadows on Saturday night.
A trip to Wentworth Park for the heats will be a first journey interstate anywhere for Luca Neveelk, who now has 27 wins from 36 starts and more than $450,000 in prizemoney to his name.
Kleeven will not trial him at the Sydney track beforehand but believes the sprinter can be a contender for the Easter Egg, which also carries a $250,000 top prize and starts with heats on Saturday, March 21.
“It’s too much to go up there for trials,” the 72-year-old said.
“I’ve never really trialled him anywhere. He just seems to know what to do (and) is a wonderful traveller.
“He loves going in my Commodore. He just lies in the back seat on the way and when it’s time to race, he races.
“I don’t think Wentworth Park will hold any fears for him but we will find out.”
Luca Neveelk produced a storming run in the decider, sweeping past challengers Lamia Bale and Recruitment at the first corner and then holding off eventual runner-up Quartz Bale for the win.
The son of Talk's Cheap x It's A Neveelk has been a consistent chaser in recent months with wins in both the Geelong and Ballarat cups, but his trainer said this triumph was extra special.
“All I can remember is jumping up and down and saying, ‘you bloody beauty’,” Kleeven said.
“I could barely speak afterwards. I said to my son, ‘you’d better do the talking’.
“On Sunday my head was in the clouds. I was walking round like a zombie.
“It was a sensational feeling.”
The likes of Silver Label, I’m Pedro and Frost Yourself have already earned places in the Easter Egg heats after winning Preludes.
Ritza Hattie underlined her status as a likely contender with another cracking performance at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
The four-time Group winner made it 19 wins in 46 starts with a 29.87 run over the 520m.
Click here to watch Ritza Hattie’s latest win.
Australia’s current best sprinter My Bro Fabio will attempt to farewell racing in style in the Golden Easter Egg, with connections planning to retire the great chaser after the series.
WA’s Quartz Bale and other top Victorians Dyna Double One, Fernando Bale (pictured) and Kerrigan Bale are all probable challengers.
Nominations for the Easter Egg close this Thursday.
