Courtesy AAP 28 Oct 02

NORTHERLY is among the third declarations for next week's Melbourne Cup but trainer Fred Kersley has warned punters he is extremely unlikely to start.

Kersley paid up as a precaution but said he would talk to all the owners before a final decision was made on whether the Cox Plate winner would take his place in the field. "I committed to paying up, but it should not be interpreted that he will run," Kersley said on Melbourne radio this morning. "We need to consider what is in the best interests of the horse.

"There's a fine line between being fit and being over-trained. "There is a flight back to Perth on Wednesday and I've pencilled him in on that. "As soon as the final decision is made I will let everyone know."

Kersley has already told Patrick Payne to accept another ride in the $4 million Cup (3200m) next Tuesday further indicating Northerly will not take part. Payne won his first Cox Plate aboard Northerly on Saturday and is in the running to ride international candidate Jardines Lookout.

Northerly's win in the Cox Plate was his eighth at Group One level and he has now earned more prizemoney than any other Australian-trained horse with $7,890,650.