Gr 1 – Northerly Stakes

This bloke really should be considered the West’s ultimate warhorse. Is 3rd up here in a race where he will be very competitive. Chased home his much vaunted stablemate Watch Me Rock in the Gr 1 last start when a closing 2nd. Suited this trip, is fitter now, should get a great cart into the race. Big show.

Always a little wide and only plodded late at first WA start in the Gr 1 Railway when beaten 3.2 lengths and 7th behind Watch Me Rock over a mile. Gets this trip, but again bad gate is no help.

Horror draw here will test, but there is no denying his star quality. Has raced 19 times for 11 wins and 6 placings for $1.5m in stakes. Last start was beautifully ridden by Willy Pike to win the 1600m Gr 1 Railway from his stablemate Western Empire, and most of these. Trip is no issue, but he has drawn very badly and Pike has elected to ride another horse in this. Too good to leave out.

Difficult draw as he likes to find his feet, but is racing in career-best form. Brings a different formline here with solid open grade wins in Victoria in recent starts. Gr 1 may test him from this gate but is racing well.

Not sighted in 2 sprint races since resuming. Much better suited this journey, but saying that, he looks safely held against these stars.

There was no better run in the Gr 1 Railway over a mile than this bloke. Was cluttered up for most of the race, then when finally clear, he rattled home for an impressive closing 4th to Watch Me Rock. Is much fitter now, is 3rd up, loves this distance and should sit just a little worse than midfield before unleashing a powerhouse finishing burst. I LOVE the fact that he’ll be around $22 and will be carrying my money. Is set to fire!

Ran out of his skin here in the Gr 1 Railway finishing solidly for 3rd at big odds to Watch Me Rock. Loves this trip and is racing with great gusto. Had previously won an easier race in fine form. Place shot.

Great gate and sits about 6th on the fence smoking his pipe, but, has not shown winning form for over a year. Not keen.

This is a crack field this year and he hasn’t been racing well enough to warrant a thought.

Had the good draw, received a great run and was beaten 4 lengths here in Gr 1 Railway. Fitter now and has again fared well at the barriers, but may struggle late as this is a strong field.

Very tough, honest campaigner who had 3 starts during November in open and stakes grade. The latest was a solid, easy win over 1400m in handy time. Will be in this for some time. Unbeaten in 3 starts on damp tracks.

In and out type who didn’t fire a shot last start here in the Gr 1 Railway. Did get lost in the run, though, at first look at this track. Is better than that and can place at big odds.

Interesting mare. Beat Gr 1 runner Swiftfalcon at Randwick over a mile, then came home hard when 2nd, beaten just over a length, to the brilliant Gringotts, who would be the favourite here if he were running. Then last start over this trip in the big Five Diamonds at Rosehill, narrowly claimed recent Gr 1 winner Transatlantic. So, form is brilliant. Can show up.

Started around $41 at past 3 runs and finished midfield in all of them, latest in the Gr 1 Railway. Expect the same here.

Three-year-old boom horse. Has raced 5 times for 5 wins and Pike has chosen him over last start impressive Gr 1 winner Watch Me Rock. Likes to settle midfield and comes home hard. Up in class here but down in weight and that makes him a major threat.

Talented filly who has a good future but this will test her from this gate. Won over a mile in average time last start. Place at very best.

Reserve who may not get a run. Honest mare who is very fit but always seems about a length inferior at this level.