McAuliffe Plans Northam Cup Upset Posted on October 21, 2016October 24, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli Darren McAuliffe hopes his planning is spot on when Military Ruler attempts to cause an upset in the $125,000 XXXX-Gold Listed Northam Cup (1600m) on Sunday. McAuliffe is optimistic he can score a second win in the Northam Cup after Rebelson dead-heated with Adam Durrant’s Son Of Something two years ago. The Lark Hill trainer identified the Northam Cup as the ideal race for Military Ruler after the gelding enjoyed a lucrative winter campaign at Belmont. The son of Universal Ruler won two races and placed twice from his five start preparation before being tipped out after he defeated Properantes in June. A third in the Farnley Stakes (1400m) and a fifth behind Socially Unique in the Hannans Handicap (1400m) has him primed for his Northam Cup assault. “I have been pleased by the way he is going and he has been set for this race,” McAuliffe said on Tabradio’s The Sports Daily. “It’s the right sort of distance, the right sort of class and just where he is in his preparation. “We try not to run him over the summer months because he has a few little feet issues. “This race has always been the target and he has basically been taken patiently through his grades. “He has taken a while to mature mentally, but I thought it was a nice race for him. “If he jumps well and can control and dictate the race he will be in it for a long way because the mile is his trip.” Military Ruler, to jump from barrier six for apprentice, Jordan Turner, is $14 with the TAB. Heading the market at $2.60 is Chocolate Holic from the Grant and Alana Williams stable. The Blackfriars gelding a deserving favourite after winning four of his past five starts. William Pike will reunite with Chocolate Holic and help offset a wide barrier. On the second line of betting is Tonto, who with Young Lionel, gives Lou Luciani a potent two-pronged attack. Tonto is rated a $4.60 chance after finishing powerfully behind Heart Starter when first up over 1400m at Bunbury last week. The five-year-old gelding has a strong record over the mile and will relish being on the 54kg minimum. Young Lionel is third up this preparation and will improve on his eighth placing in the Hannans when the race wasn’t run to suit. The eight-year-old won last year’s Northam Cup when he upset the odds on favourite, Battle Hero. Luciani said very little separated his two runners. “They are both going into the race nice and fit,” Luciani said. “Tonto was impressive first up and hit the line strongly. “Young Lionel is coming out of the Hannans which wasn’t run to suit him, but he actually hit the line very well. “He wasn’t beaten far and was making ground at the finish. “I expect them to be both in the finish.” Bet Now
Shayne Williams’ Wednesday Greyhound Best Bets October 8, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 2 No. 6 Mad Howler Thought we could kick proceedings off in the maiden tonight, and the lightly raced Mad Howler who was… Read More
Scott Embry’s Thursday York Preview October 7, 2025 RACE 1 AUTHORATIVE is a long time maiden but this is the weakest race he has seen in his life and his first ever maiden… Read More
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Northam Preview October 7, 2025 RACE 1 MOONWALK made her debut as a 2 year old on a Saturday and split Too Darn Stormy and now 3x subsequent winner Playin’… Read More
Matt Young’s Tuesday Gloucester Park Preview October 7, 2025 Race 1 CHIEF COPY (5) has plenty of early speed and could charge across and get to the top, his form has been sound and… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Tuesday Greyhound Best Bets October 7, 2025 MANDURAH Race 6 No. 2 Zulu Yallah Looks a very promising type, is unbeaten in his two start career, running fast time and setting the… Read More
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview October 6, 2025 Race 1 ALDEBARAN BOYD (4) has the advantage in handicaps once again and looks to bounce back to the winners list, he can work forward… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets October 6, 2025 NORTHAM Race 3 No. 8 Starlight Twix Coming to Burwood Park for the first time but as we know she had to have at least… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets October 4, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 4 No. 1 Spooky Hook Mixing tracks and distances and probably fair to say he does go a tad better at Mandurah, but… Read More
Michael Heaton’s Sunday Northam Preview October 3, 2025 RACE 1 PYGMALION’S formlines jump off the page when you consider he’s run second to Snitzalatte and Elite Beau at his 2 race starts to… Read More
Michael Heaton’s Saturday Kalgoorlie Preview October 3, 2025 RACE 1 If ARGYLE STAR backs up off a 48-hour turnaround from Hannans day she’ll have admirers. Love stayers off the quick spin and this… Read More
Wide open field promises thrilling Metropolitan October 3, 2025 This Saturday, Randwick plays host to the Group 1 Metropolitan Stakes, a 2400m staying test that has drawn a capacity field of 18 runners. With… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview October 3, 2025 Race 1 Massive day of racing at Randwick on Saturday with 3 Group 1’s plus a cracking support card. Weather fine, track good with no… Read More