ROD Northam chases three feature races in coming days as he prepares for a tilt at Sunday week’s $150,000 Hunter North West Country Championship Qualifier (1400m) at Scone.
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On Friday he has high hopes of winning another Akubra Quirindi Cup and a second Quirindi RSL Lightning with Husswick and Sargent Doakes while stable star, Big Money, jumps from barrier one in Saturday’s $150,000 Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1200m).
Talented filly Lelu and After All That may well be his Country Championship hopes on March 5.
“She’s a nice filly,” Northam said.
“But it’s going to be a real strong race. Both mine will run well on their home track. Barriers will be crucial and she will need a bit of speed on up front.”
Big Money, a seven-year-old chestnut gelding who has won $787,260 in prizemoney from winning 10 of his 31 starts and placing another eight times, has drawn barrier one for his assignment.
“It’s not ideal for him,” Northam said.
“The favourite (Chetwood) has drawn two so hopefully we can be on his back.”
Big Money is coming off a courageous second to Le Romain at Randwick in a 1200m Group 3 two Mondays back.
He has done well since and with Robert Thompson on board will give a good sight.
“He just tries his heart out every time,” Northam said.
“That’s the beauty of him. He doesn’t like the heavy tracks though and should get a good track Saturday. I expect him to run well.”
Thompson will also be aboard Husswick in Friday’s $40,000 Akubra Quirindi Cup (1600m).
Both Husswick and Rod’s Lightning runner, Sargent Doakes have drawn barrier seven and Rod hopes that is a lucky number.
“Both of them are going well,” Northam said.
“Both of them have drawn quite well and should get nice runs.”
Six-year-old Husswick has won seven of his 31 starts for $116,485 in prizemoney and comes off a good mid week win at Warwick Farm and a fair fourth at Canterbury.
“He’s not a real big horse so the big question mark will be whether he can carry the weight (57.5kg),” Northam said.
“He won quite well at Warwick Farm but he didn’t handle the hot conditions at Canterbury and suffered a little bit of heat stress there.”
Northam has won a Quirindi Cup with Full Bench and believes this year’s field isn’t as strong as it has been, opening the door for Husswick.
The $30,000 Quirindi RSL Club Lightning (1100m) is a far different and harder race.
“There is quite a bit of depth there,” Northam said.
“It’s a quality field but we have drawn well and hopefully will get a bit of luck.”
He also won a Lightning a “few years ago now” with Phan at long odds.
“A good result,” he recalled.
“We backed him too.”
“There looks to be a lot of speed in the Lightning too. Hopefully we get a nice run from a good draw.”
Sargent Doakes is a four-year-old gelding son of I Am Invincible and has his 20th start with six wins and two placings in a career that has realised $153,610 in prizemoney.
