I think Patrick Payne blemished his and Northerly's careers when riding the champ in sydney and in the C.F Orr stakes. Northerly only got a slight smudge but Payne has a big black mark next to his name. I think he had to run to get fit. Fred is the master dont worry about that. He knows Northerly back to front. If he doesnt run in the spring or ever again which are both likely it will be sad seeing inferior horses to him winning the races such as the underwood, yalumba, cox plate etc. holding back the tears. great great great horse. Greatest Caufield cup win ever with 58kg.(Might and Powers close second). his career still reads 19 wins(18 black typeand 9 G1's ) and 9 placings(all black type) from 34 starts. 28/ 34 yet his preffered distance was 1600m + beyond.