Courtesy The West Australian website:

THE possibility of Northerly resuming in the C F Orr Stakes is back on target, with the WA superstar due to make a rare cameo appearance in an Ascot barrier trial on Saturday.

Trainer Fred Kersley said yesterday the 1400m trial would be crucial to Northerly kicking off his Australian Cup campaign in Saturday week's $302,000 Group 1 1400m Caulfield feature.

However, Kersley did not discard the option of Australia's richest racehorse running first-up before a home crowd in the Detonator Stakes (1800m), at Ascot on the same day.

Kersley admitted he still faced a big problem to obtain a direct flight to Melbourne. In recent weeks cargo flights have gone from Perth to Sydney.

He is keen for four to five runners to compete in the trial to provide Northerly with a good first-up hit-out.

Kersley will start stablemate Heavy Nova and another galloper in the trial, but is appealing to other trainers to enter their horses.

WA Turf Club racing manager Greg Carpenter said the trial would be conducted between races five and six. A definite time would be confirmed today.

Railway Stakes-winning jockey Stephen Miller was the No. 1 choice to ride Northerly in the trial.

__________________
Ta me go maith