Geoff Newling
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ROD Northam has two big reasons to be smiling.
The Scone trainer not only starts one of the favourites for Saturday’s inaugural $300,000 Country Championship Final (1400m) at Randwick, but also has a real live chance in the $1million Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).
Voodoo Lad will start one of the favourites for the Country Championship Final at Randwick while Odyssey Moon, eighth to Vancouver in the Golden Slipper, is a 10-1 chance in the Sires Produce.
“He’s drawn five too, perfect,” Northam said at Tuesday’s Tamworth Jockey Club meeting of his talented two-year-old.
“He pulled up great after the Slipper and doesn’t over exert himself in work, he saves it all for race day.
“He has come through the week well too, bouncing around.
“The 1400m at Randwick looks perfect for him because he was very strong on the line in the Slipper and the 1400 is up his alley. A bit of rain around too won’t worry him.”
Northam was far from disappointed when Odyssey Moon ran eighth to Vancouver in the Golden Slipper.
“He only got beaten two lengths in a Slipper, you gotta be happy about that,” he beamed.
Voodoo Lad is also well after winning an easy trial at Scone.
He cruised to a good win in the HNWRA Country Championships qualifier at Tamworth last month and has also done well, pleasing Northam with his work.
“He won that trial nicely at Scone last Tuesday,” he said.
“And he did a nice bit of work this morning. He’s spot on.”
James McDonald, who won the Inglis 2YO on Voodoo Lad at Scone with him last year is back on.
“He’s in form isn’t he?” Northam smiled of a jockey who rode five winners at Randwick last Saturday.
“He’s ridden him before so that’s a bonus,” he said of the young Kiwi.
Damien Oliver will ride Odyssey Moon for him in the Sires Produce.
“He rode Myamira for me in the Tatts Tiara last year,” he said.
While Odyssey Moon drew well for Northam, Voodoo Lad drew wide in barrier 16.
Fellow Scone runner, Tarangower, drew even worse in 19 and Muswellbrook gelding Artlee, who decimated his rivals to win the Wild Card at Muswellbrook last Sunday, goes from 22.
Bathurst qualifier winner Binalong Road also drew wide for his owners in barrier 15 and Grafton Qualifier winner, Redwolf jumps from 21 in a race turned on its head by the bad draws for all the favoured runners.