Northerly Stakes – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners for the $1,500,000 Drummond Golf Northerly Stakes with 10 geldings, 1 stallion, 1 colt and 4 mares. There are two three-year-olds, one four-year-old, nine five-year-olds, two six-year-olds, one seven-year-old and a nine-year-old. Nine runners had their last start in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m at Ascot on 25th November, two in the Group 2 WA Guineas over 1600m at Ascot on 25th November and two in the Listed A.J. Scahill Cup over 2100m at Ascot on 25th November, while the other 3 runners came via different races. Three runners are sired by Playing God who won this race in 2010 and 2011. Trainers Neville Parnham and Grant & Alana Williams both have 2 runners.

The early favourite is eastern state raider Zaaki who is a 4 time Group 1 winner and has had 4 weeks off after running 4th in the Group 1 Mackinnon over 2000m at Flemington on 11th November. Second favourite is Alsephina who has been runner-up at all 3 starts this campaign, including in the Railway. Third favourite is A Lot Of Good Men who ran on strongly for 2nd in the WA Guineas, and goes well at this track. Bustler won the Railway but carries 5.5kg more here. Zipaway held on to win the WA Guineas, while Dom To Shoot has placed in both runs this campaign and has drawn the rails. The other runners are currently $18 or longer.

1. Zaaki (10)

Eastern state raider Zaaki is a 4 time Group 1 winner and has had 4 weeks off after running 4th in the Group 1 Mackinnon over 2000m at Flemington on 11th November. There are only 2 other Group 1 winners in the race (Trix Of The Trade and Bustler) and they have each won once at this level. He’s the oldest runner this year at 9YO but he’s still running well. This is his best distance (4 wins and a place from 5 1800m starts) and I’m pretty sure he’s not here for a holiday. One of the main chances.

2. Trix Of the Trade (7)

Blocked the majority of the straight to finish a luckless 4th in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m at Ascot on 25th November. Place chance.

3. Zoumon (15)

Eastern raider from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable. Last start he led until grabbed late for 0.2 length 2nd in the Five Diamonds over 1800m at Rosehill on 11th November. Has the speed to overcome the wide barrier and is a live chance here.

4. Marocchino (3)

Three starts ago he won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes over 1400m  at triple figure odds.  He loves to lead and finished 8th in the Railway. Prefer others here.

5. Dom To Shoot (1)

Ran 3rd in this race in 2020. He has placed in both runs this campaign and has drawn the rails. I’ve been impressed with him this campaign and see him as a place hope again.

6. Forgot You (13)

Won over this distance at Flemington on 7th November then finished 14th in the Railway where the jockey believed he needed further. Not the worst.

7. Casino Seventeen (16)

One of 2 runners trained By Grant & Alana Williams (the other is Alsephina). He finished 2nd in the Listed A.J. Scahill Cup over 2100m at Ascot on 25th November and has drawn the outside barrier here. In the mix.

8. Mojo Rhythm (4)

One of 3 runners sired by Playing God who won this race twice (the others are Bustler and Zipaway). Beat Alsephina to win the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes over 1500m at Ascot on 18th November, then wound up from the back half of the field for 5th in the Railway. Sneaky place chance.

9. River Rubicon (9)

Prefer others.

10. Bustler (5)

Won the Railway but carries 5.5kg more here. He is one of 2 runners trained by Neville Parnham (the other is Zipaway). Has plenty of talent but could feel the weight late. Commands respect.

11. Alsephina (6)

She has been runner-up at all 3 starts this campaign, including in the Railway. Her race record is 9 wins and 5 places from 14 starts and 6 of those wins were at this track. I think she is the main threat to Zaaki and at her best she can win this.

12. Searchin’ Roc’s (12)

Was a disappointing 11th in the Railway. She’s a hard mare to catch, but when she good she’s very good. Prefer others here.

13. The Velvet Queen (11)

Came from last to finish 9th in the Railway. Think she can improve on that.

14. Be Optimistic (2)

Won the Listed A.J. Scahill Cup over 2100m at Ascot on 25th November. Drawn nicely and capable of being in the finish.

15. Zipaway (14)

Held on to win the Group 2 WA Guineas over 1600m at Ascot on 25th November to give him 3 wins from 4 starts this preparation. As a 3YO he only carries 52kg and could surprise.

16. A Lot Of Good Men (8)

Ran on strongly for 2nd in the WA Guineas and looks as if the distance will suit. One of the chances.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
11 Alsephina
1 Zaaki
16 A Lot Of Good Men
5 Dom To Shoot

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5 Dom To Shoot
2nd	1 Zaaki	0.04 length
3rd	15 Zipaway	0.07 length
4th	10 Bustler	1.4 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.