The final Group 1 race of the calendar year in Australia headlines 2022 Northerly Stakes Day!
Nine races will be run and won at Ascot on Saturday, and you can find my complete 2022 Northerly Stakes Day Tips below.
Soaring Solo was a smart winner on debut and the only winner engaged in the first on Northerly Stakes Day.
The Safeguard filly showed ability at the trials prior to debut and put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching performance here a fortnight ago.
With natural improvement, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Aztec Ruler hasn’t been seen at the races since July, but he can keep alive his unbeaten record at Ascot this week.
The Universal Ruler gelding won both of his trials prior to his debut and broke his maiden comfortably over 1000m at Belmont, franking that performance with a three-length triumph in a strong race.
He’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead up to this return and it looks a nice launchpad for him.
Truly Inspired is chasing a hat-trick on Northerly Stakes Day and looms as the one to beat again.
The Dundeel gelding has improved with each of his four starts since resuming, and he has won his last two by a combined six lengths.
He steps out this week in peak order and is drawn ideally under William Pike. He is my best bet on the program.
Category Three has been knocking on the door of a win since resuming and gets her chance on Northerly Stakes Day.
The Adam Durrant-trained mare couldn’t have done a lot more without saluting, working home well behind Street Parade here first-up before only just being denied in a 1200m contest last time out.
Fitter third-up and out to the 1400m, I don’t think she’ll get a better chance to win.
Karalee Rocks has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting and is a justifiable favourite in the fifth at Ascot on Saturday.
The Flying Artie mare stamped herself as one to watch by winning on debut at Northam back in May, and she was put away after finishing fourth in a decent 1000m contest at Belmont.
She’s gone to another level this time, however winning each of her two races impressively.
Fitter third-up, she just needs some luck in running to be in it again!
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program and a horse like Holy Ghost can have an impact at a price ($11 at publish).
He returned a rare flat effort two starts back, but Holy Ghost responded with a big turn of foot to charge home from the tail of the field for fourth in a similar contest here last weekend.
His form prior to those starts was excellent, and Laqdar Ramoly can settle him a little closer from barrier 4 this week. With that jockey’s claim also coming into the equation, I think that Holy Ghost is a touch of overs.
Early favourite Ginger Flyer is resuming and does race competitively fresh, but she has won just once in five previous first-up appearances, and in something like this, I am happy to take her on.
Buzzoom is going to be the one for me third-up from a spell.
Buzzoom has been a strong and consistent performer for the Morton yard throughout her career, and she finished third behind Sniparoochy first-up before a rare flat effort in the Jungle Mist Classic last time.
She harbours further improvement and will love getting out to the 1400m.
It’s the final Group 1 race of the calendar year in Australia and a talented field of locals and interstate rivals will contest the Northerly Stakes.
I’ve put multiple Group 1 winner Cascadian on top, but check out my full race preview and complete 2022 Northerly Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
This isn’t the easiest way to end the day from a betting perspective, but I am going to have something on the warm favourite Cash Away.
Cash Away has missed placing once in nine previous tripos to the races, and he returned from a short break to fill the minors here a fortnight ago.
With the benefit of that run, something like this looks well within his means.