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
Scott Embry’s Thursday Bunbury Preview July 15, 2025 RACE 1 LASH OUT has won his last three trials at Lark Hill and expecting that over the 950m he’ll be hard to beat on… Read More
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Northam Preview July 15, 2025 RACE 1 NEW YORK SKIE looks the logic in the first (if there’s such a thing in staying maidens). She led at 1800m and gave… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Wednesday Sandown Preview July 15, 2025 Race 1 Competitive start. ORAQUA covered ground last time and that form has held up. AD VITAM made an encouraging debut at Sale and handled… Read More
Matt Young’s Tuesday Gloucester Park Preview July 15, 2025 Race 1 BEE KIND (10) looks to have the talent but looks to somewhat of a handful on the few occasions that we have seen… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Tuesday Greyhound Best Bets July 15, 2025 NORTHAM Race 2 No. 1 Cool Runnings Resuming here off a 3 month spell and showed plenty of ability before the break. Qualified up in… Read More
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview July 14, 2025 Race 1 COCOBOLO (4) controlled last time out but dashed home in an impressive sectional over the 2185m and won with a leg in the… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets July 14, 2025 NORTHAM Race 5 No. 2 Trunkey Jennings He was a winner two starts ago from the red marble, then no luck last start and pulled… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets July 12, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 2 No. 1 Strip Weathers Took him 8 goes to win his maiden, but now he’s ticked that off, he will be full… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview July 11, 2025 RACE 1 SHINE AND BURN won’t get a better opportunity to open her winning account than this. She’s had a trial at Lark Hill and… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Port Hedland Preview July 11, 2025 RACE 1 MARINES CRY won a recent 950m trial at Lark Hill by over 1L in decent time. Has very little (no) race form to… Read More
Matt Young’s Saturday Northam Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 TROUBADOUR (4) creates interest in a debut start not only in the west, but in a race overall. The shaky-isles bred pacer has… Read More
Matt Young’s Friday Narrogin Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 Open race. Early speed looks to consist with BLIND EDITION (3) and SPEED FORCE (4) who both are just racing okay to be… Read More