Northerly has been allotted top weight of 60kg for his planned return in this Saturday's Belmont Goodwood Sprint. Northerly carried 61kg last year to win the same race. Other nominations include Prince of Pop & Corporate Bruce, who finished 2nd & 3rd respectively in last years race. Prince of Pop has been allocated 52kg (2kg down on last year) and Corporate Bruce has been allocated 53.5kg (3.5kg down on last year). Other nominations for the Goodwood include Tribula, Master Park, Pindarri & The Tin Man.

_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-13 17:11 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-13 17:14 ]

Perth Placegetter, Have you rated the Goodwood yet? Very interesting to see what you predict.

Hi Paddy,

Yes have rated the Goodwood.

Corporate Bruce has rated best just ahead of Northerly & Prince Of Pop.

These 3 are clearly rated ahead of the rest.

Corporate Bruce’s last run was just below his best and he has been freshened up. Prince Of Pop’s last run was his best ever (according to my records) – not bad for a 9yo. Note my rating for Northerly is based on his WA record, so if he has improved since this time last year, when he won the Goodwood & ran 2nd in the Budget Rent A Car-Farnley Stakes, his winning chance would be enhanced.

Others rated next best in order are Tribula, The Tin Man, Pindarri, Master Park & White Foil.

Could still be a tricky race as all 3 top rated horses are likely to be ridden back in the field – will be interesting to see if they can give the likes of The Tin Man & Pindarri and start and a beating.

Pindarri looks the likely leader and doubt he will be pressured as much as last week. The Tin Man is likely to get a good sit on Pindarri.

Good luck whatever you back!




_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-14 17:37 ]

Thanks Perth Placegetter, I look forward to the race.

Hey Perth Placegetter, I see you rated Tribula as next best outside of top 3, 40/1 winner! how come it didn't make your sneak list?

Paddy, alas Tribula was listed this morning at 8/1. Hope you had something on it, in any case.

_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-17 18:58 ]

As it turns out I did have a wee bit on Tribula. Thanks for the leg up Perth Placegetter. How did you rate Northerly's run, compared to this time last year?

Good to hear you backed Tribula, Paddy.
Managed to have a bit myself.

Northerly rated 2 lengths below his run, this time last year. Assume not as advanced in condition. Also raced without blinkers, not sure if this made any difference.

Big run by Corporate Bruce, flying home at the end, think would have won with another few strides.

On paper Prince of Pop looked very disappointing, but suggest did not back up well after his brilliant win last Saturday week.

Looking forward to their next expected clash in the Farnley Stakes in two weeks.

_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-19 12:17 ]

Seems Northerly's next start is in Saturday's Caulfield Memsie Stakes.

Could be a risk next couple of starts, depending on his rate of improvement, following first-up unplaced run at Belmont.

_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-25 11:33 ]

Do you like the chances of Northerly in the Memsie's today, Perth Placegetter?

Northerly should improve on his 1st up run, as you would expect.

As previously posted, I don’t believe Northerly’s 1st up run this time in, was as good as his last preparation.

Also understand that connections would have liked to have stayed in Perth and given Northerly another run before going over east, but the likely weight he would have received (and the weight advantage he would have to give to the other horses) has discouraged them. Also it seems they are still unsure whether he really is better with or without the blinkers.

All things considering happy to watch him run around (especially at the 13/4 being quoted). Hope he does well. If he does win (or runs a very bold race), I think the connections of Sunline should start worrying!


All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:


[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-31 09:55 ]

Will also be content to watch Northerly from the sidelines. I will be backing Fields Of Omagh and The Big Ask as value bets only.

I feel that Northerly is nowhere near top form at this stage and when Sunline clashes with Northerly in The Feehan Stakes, I think we will see a different result this year.

Reports are that Sunline was nowhere near fit last Saturday in New Zealand with condition giving out over the last 200m, but still managed to find enough to get her over line.

The debate continues....

:wink:

Watched Sunline's first up win, was struggling a bit at the end, but did show plenty of toe & zip beforehand. I think did look more forward in that race, than Northerly did yesterday.

Northerly did get chopped out of the race for about the last 200 metres, but the major concern I had, was his mind was definitely not on the job mid race. It was obvious at no point was he travelling comfortably. He was distracted by the horse on his outside and was not happy at being boxed in.

I did not see enough to back him next start. Maybe needs one more run before a win. Can't see him beating Sunline in the Feehan on yesterday's effort.

Just my opinion.

[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-09-01 13:28 ]

Seems Fred Kersley, isn't too worried about Northerly's defeat on Sat and the blinkers will remain off, at least in the short term.

Still on track for the Cox Plate and not the Caulfield Cup, as some are suggesting. Northerly has been nominated for the Caulfield Cup and is 2nd top weight with 58kg.

Interestingly the press over here are saying that Fred is considering starting Northerly in next Saturday's Craiglee Stakes (1600m) at Flemington instead of the Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley the following week.



_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-09-02 15:08 ]

One more run before a win EI, perhaps in the Craiglee Stakes and not the Feehan Stakes.

Must have pulled up pretty well to consider racing again this weekend.

I like it. Just secured what I consider juicy odds for Northerly in the Cox Plate. Shrewd that Kersley, all that blinker shenanigans. Won't we all be surprised when the blinkers go back on, NOT!

I can't believe Fred Kersley was going to take it easy with Northerly, and now is going to back him up a week later...
perhaps.

Well I think you did the right thing there Paddy - get the odds while he's not winning, coz after he wins, you sure won't get value.

Having said that I have my concerns re Northerly this campaign.

Hey There Sandgroper,

I am new to the forums and have heard around the traps that you are the best punter in the west. I will be watching your picks closely and hope to back a winner or two.

Wish me luck!! :cool:

Well Perth Placegetter, you seem to have an addition to your fan club, and a celebrity to boot!

The pressure's really on now my boyo!!

Northerly (No. 2) has drawn barrier 1 for Saturday's Craiglee at Flemington, with Greg Childs aboard. Fred's quoted as saying that he needed to sort out a jockey once and for all, for Northerly's current campaign (following on from D Oliver's commitment to DON EDUARDO) and along comes Childs?

Why am I getting the feeling that a potential CC start for Northerly is now shaping into more of a reality, and depending how he performs / pulls up, may not even start in the Cox?

Caulfield 2400 -v- MV 2040. He is 6 now and more of a grinder so the 2040 may be a little sharp these days.
Handicappers -v- Sunline, Lonhro, Defier etc.
You may be right Paddy. Of course the Caul Cup start does not rule out the Cox Plate and the winners of the 99 and 2000 C Cup ran placings in the Cox Plate so it isn't a bad lead in.
I think the quick back up this week is mysterious too. Does he need the extra run to toughen him up for the mile and a half?


[ This Message was edited by: Hammers on 2002-09-05 14:35 ]

Just one more opinion, guys (and Betty). Put your money on Northerly in set weights races (eg. Cox plate) or WFA. Forget the handicaps - he can't concede too much weight to smart horses and still win - just ask Old Comrade.

I forgot to mention that the Craiglee was WFA? To quote Hammers, "Absolute charity".

So Fred is now focusing on the Caulfield Cup – or is he?

Interviewed yesterday, initially assertive with his statement that Northerly’s on track for the CC, but a bit later seemed more sheepish in his reply.

Playing ducks & drakes? Still not completely sure himself? Waiting to see what other connections are doing with their horses? We will need to wait and see.

Have noticed one thing with Northerly minus blinkers last two wins. Once he sights the opposition coming at him over last bit, he seems to put out that bit more.

Strange statement, but is he loafing a tiny bit when he gets to the lead, until he sights something near him?


_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-09-23 14:16 ]

We should run a book on where Fred's going to start him. My odds ?
Cox plate 2/5
Caulfield Cup 5/2
Both 66/1
Look at the form -
2 starts at MV for 2 wins.
8 starts at Caulfield for 5 wins.
Never run beyond 2040m.
Go figure.

If the track is slow or worse today for the Turnbull, think Northerly is a real risk. I'll be backing Sky Heights & Maguire EW at good odds.

My two were very disappointing, did reduce my wager though with only a dead track. Northerly’s fighting spirit won the day again. My tip he will miss the CC and concentrate on the Cox Plate.

This thread made for something interesting reading with the benefit of hindsight. Lucky you are not a bookie Rain Lover! See the blinkers stayed off. Fred Kersley & team, we salute you!

_________________
May the luck of the Irish be with you!


[ This Message was edited by: Paddy on 2002-10-20 07:01 ]

I think the handicapper has made up Fred's mind re a start in the MC. 2kg penalty I see as being extremely harsh. The Japan Cup must now be looming as a distinct possibility.



[ This Message was edited by: Rogan Josh on 2002-10-21 13:51 ]

Hi RJ, I see the forum has Monday'itis as usual. Agree that Northerly's penalty is harsh, you would think they would try and entice Fred to run Northerly in the Cup rather than discourage.

Japan Cup start could be interesting. I wonder how Northerly would perform going the opposite way (to Melb / Perth).

Courtesy aapracingandsports

Thursday, 31 October 2002: The option of giving champion gelding Northerly another race in Perth before a spell has been kept open by trainer Fred Kersley.

Kersley, conscious of what Northerly means to Perth racing, has nominated the five-year-old for the $300,000 Fruit’N’ Veg Stakes at Ascot on December 7.

Kersley is still in Melbourne but Northerly arrived back at his Perth stable in Wednesday night.

The Fruit ‘N’ Veg is the feature weight-for-age event of the Perth summer carnival but has attracted only nine interstate nominations.

The WATC would be desperate to see Northerly start at Ascot but it is almost certain he will be in the spelling paddock when the race is run.

Part-owner Neville Duncan told Perth media the chances of Northerly staying in work were remote.

"I guess Fred put him in the race just in case," Duncan said.

Kersley kept faith with the Perth public last year after Northerly won his first Cox Plate by running him in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot a month after his Moonee Valley victory.

However he was obviously a tired horse after his spring campaign and could finish only 11th carrying 61.5kg under the handicap conditions.

There is much more at stake for Northerly this season as he is expected to be set for overseas assignments next autumn and will have little time to spell should he be kept in work for the Fruit ‘N’ Veg Stakes.

Northerly was not entered for this year’s $500,000 Railway Stakes, to be run at Ascot on November 23.

The notable eastern states entries for the Railway Stakes are Umrum, Weasel Will, El Nino, Court Of Jewels, Kabila Sheraton, Paris Heartbeat.

Courtesy The West Australian website:

WA racing star Northerly shifts up a gear in his preparation for a third assault on the Melbourne autumn carnival when he returns to Belmont Park trackwork tomorrow.

Trainer Fred Kersley plans for Northerly to have his third start in the Australian Cup (2000m) in mid-March before heading to Sydney for the $2 million BMW (2000m) at Rosehill on April 12.

Northerly won the Australian Cup in record time in 2001 before going down narrowly to Old Comrade in the Group 1 feature last year.

Courtesy The West Australian website:

CHAMPION galloper Northerly bounced back into Belmont Park trackwork at the weekend and his trainer Fred Kersley had a disheartening message for connections of prospective challengers.

"He looks to have come back better than ever," said Kersley, watching the $7.8 million stake earner exercise over two laps for training circuit rider Cherie Hough on Saturday.

The master trainer added sound reasoning to one of horse racing's most common cliches.

"Northerly has recently undergone a distinct change of body shape," Kersley said. "I could see it beginning last spring. As a six-year-old, it seems he has only now reached full maturity."

The powerful bay, spelled after brilliant wins in the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup and $3 million Cox Plate in Melbourne last October, made his first racecourse appearance for two months on Saturday morning.

Kersley was delighted by what he saw on and off the course.

In a tranquil pre-dawn atmosphere, Northerly exhibited a playful and child-like side of his character. Kersley walked towards the grandstand while Northerly went on to the track.

As soon as he thought his trainer was out of sight, the champion whipped around, cantered back through the course gate and headed towards his stall.

Expert horsewoman Hough asserted authority and Northerly was quickly out on the grass again, getting down to the business of being a star. "He's full of himself and wanting to be the boss," Kersley said.

"It's a very good sign."

Northerly's autumn program includes the $200,000 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 22 and the $1.25 million Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10.

Then he will make his first Sydney visit, for the $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) on March 29 and the $2 million BMW (2400m) two weeks later.

Kersley said Northerly could make his overseas debut in the $3.1 million Singapore Airline International Cup (2000m) on May 17.

"We're not yet certain of which race he will contest when starting first-up next month," Kersley said.


Australasian racing handicappers showed no uncertainty when they announced official ratings at the weekend for horses competing between August 1 and December 31.

Northerly, with a 124 rating, was clearly the best among gallopers aged four and upwards.

Other top gallopers' ratings were Defier 119, Lonhro 117, Rubitano and Sunline both 116.

Paddy, any truth in the rumour that you are the new the president of the Northerly fan club - Irish chapter? :smile:

Listening to a recent interview with Fred Kersley, he was certainly oozing with confidence, stated that Northerly had only put on 10kg during his break, so would expect Northerly to be firing on all 8 cylinders from the outset of his next campaign.

_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2003-01-06 13:53 ]

Since when do horses have 8 cylinders??? Do all of them have 8 or do some only have 4 or 6? And can you fit a turbocharger to the 4 cylinder ones to make them more competitive with the 8's? Do Italian horses have 10 or 12?

:grin:

Aaaah this brings up an interesting topic!

Many horses promising "good things" on the track are tipped to have eight cylinders, but the trainers need to change the spark plugs, as there is a misfire!

Or were they only 4 cylinders to begin with and once they step up to V8 touring car class come unstuck because it wasn't the driver (jockey) who messed up, but the pit crew (trainer) over rated the capacity of the engine and as such should only be racing in class B Winton raceway races not Group or Listed Bathurst races?

A timely analogy.
:wink:

Nice one Sandgroper - you've let the cat out of the bag! :roll:

Courtesy The West Australian website:

A SHARE in one of Australasia's most sought-after foals, a half-brother to WA thoroughbred champion Northerly, has been taken by a WA partnership.

Northerly part-owners Ron Sayers, Tony Patrizi and Peter Bartlett ended months of speculation when they signed on a deal to trade their share in Northerly's future earnings for a half share of the Flying Spur colt.

The colt was bred and is owned by Rod Dufficy, brother to former jockey and Sydney racing commentator Ron Dufficy, and Andrew Harcourt.

The foal's other half-brothers include stakes winners North Boy and Northern Song. Northerly is the nation's top stakes-earner with $7.8 million.

The colt was orphaned when his dam North Bell died as a result of complications during the birth.

The WA syndicate reached agreement in principle on the deal on the morning of Northerly's historic Caulfield Cup win on October 19.

Sayers, Patrizi and Bartlett have a quarter share in Northerly. The other part-owners are managing owner Judy Kersley, wife of trainer Fred Kersley, and the gelding's breeders Neville and Sue Duncan. Ian Grljusich is a minor partner.

Sayers said yesterday Dufficy and Harcourt would receive 10 per cent of the three partners' share of Northerly's future prize money but would have no say in the champion's programming.

Sayers visited the colt at Segenhoe Stud in the Hunter Valley yesterday on his way back to Perth after buying three fillies at the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale last week.

"It might be wishful thinking but to me he looks exactly like Northerly," said Sayers, who owns Yarradale Stud at Gidgegannup.

Dufficy said yesterday the colt, who weighed a whopping 72kg at birth, was perfect.

"He is a real cracker. He was born late and his birth was induced by the vets," he said. "He was born overly big, which is not normally a good sign because they can be too big and bulky.

"But from a month or two after he was born he developed magnificently. He is now a really good, normal-sized horse, who is impossible to fault.

"The guy who looks after him, Brian Gorman, is a pretty good judge and he reckons he can't fault him.

"He is very unlike his brothers and sisters, who had faults."

Courtesy of The West Australian website:

A reshuffle of feature race dates on the Victorian autumn calendar has thrown Australian Cup plans for WA superstar Northerly into disarray.

Trainer Fred Kersley was anticipating using the same formula as last year, giving his champion his two Australian Cup lead-up starts in the Orr Stakes (1400m) and St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, before going into the $1.25 million feature event at Flemington on March 10.

Kersley was then going to leap from the Australian Cup into his maiden Sydney foray and run the horse in the $2 million The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 12.

But the Melbourne Racing Club's decision to bring forward the dates for the Orr Stakes and St George Stakes by eight days and put back the Futurity Stakes (1400m) by seven days has put a spanner in the works.

Kersley yesterday cast grave doubt on whether Northerly would be ready to run in the Orr Stakes on February 8.

He also was unhappy about having to go back 400m with the horse, if he was to run in the St George and Futurity Stakes.

"The program is terrible for me," Kersley said. "By changing the program they have bowled a wrong'un.

"I don't know quite how to handle it.

"It used to be good because weight-for-age horses could run from 1400m to 1800m into 2000m.

"The program now reads for weight-for-age horses, 1400m, 1800m, 1400m and 2000m.

"Somehow I have to work within those parameters and at the minute the logic is escaping me.

"But I am going to have to deal with it."

Kersley will examine the Victorian calendar more closely over the next few weeks in a bid to find an alternative program.

Northerly, Australasia's undisputed weight-for-age king, enhanced the glory of his 2001 Melbourne spring by winning the Craiglee, Underwood and Turnbull Stakes, as well as the Caulfield Cup and a second Cox Plate last year.

Northerly began his express trip to world fame with record-breaking wins in the Carlyon and Australian cups two years ago.

The Serheed gelding was narrowly beaten by WA adversary Old Comrade in the Australian Cup last year.

Kersley said he had not set a date for Northerly's departure east nor was he in a rush to confirm a rider for the $7.8 million stakes earner.

"Patrick Payne has drawn favour because he won on him at his last start," the trainer said. "Damien Oliver and Greg Childs have excellent records on the horse. But I don't want to get caught naming a rider this far out because a lot can happen."

Payne rode Northerly for the first time when he won the Cox Plate last October. Childs has an excellent record of six rides for six wins and Oliver has eight rides for five wins and two seconds.

Courtesy The West Australian website:

WA racing idol Northerly is Australasia's highest rated horse for 2002.

Northerly finished as one of the world's highest ranked horses with an international classification rating of 124 - up from the 122 he scored the previous year.

Irish champion three-year-old Rock Of Gibraltar was the world's No. 1 on 128, ahead the Godolphin-owned Marienbard (127), who won at Group 1 level in Germany before his success in the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Rock Of Gibraltar received his rating for breaking the long-standing record of Mill Reef by winning seven straight Group 1 events.

Godolphin's Grandera, who finished third to Northerly in the Cox Plate, received 126 rating for his five-length win over Indian Creek in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Northerly won three times at Group 1 level last year - in the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Underwood Stakes.

The Serheed gelding's rating of 124 matched that of Might And Power, who held the previous record high in 1998 - which was the first time the system was applied to Australian and New Zealand horses.

Trainer Fred Kersley was humble yesterday when told of Northerly's great achievement.

"I am flattered for the horse," he said.

Defier, runner-up in the Cox Plate, was Australasia's second-highest rated horse on 120, just shading Sunline, who finished her last year on the track with 119.

Australian Cup champion Old Comrade was rated on 114 to finish equal seventh, with Universal Prince and Show A Heart.

A total of 28 Australian and NZ horses made the international listing.