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
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Selections April 29, 2024 Race 1 CURADH (3) IDEAL INTEREST (6) MIKI SPRING STEP (8) BUNJIL MAN (2) Race 2 PRINCE OF PAIN (3) ATLAS THE TITAN (5) ICY… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Monday Greyhound Best Bets April 29, 2024 NORTHAM Race 5 No. 3 No Payout and No. 1 Apollo Fun Kicking off the Northam season with dogs that absolutely know this track. The… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Sunday Greyhound Best Bets April 28, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 4 No. 4 Trendy Miss A shame this wasn’t a 380m event. She would be a leading show. However she can play for… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Saturday Greyhound Best Bets April 27, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 1 No. 3 All Grunt and No. 7 Cherry Blue The 3 is a real good smokies play here. A little luck into… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Albany Preview April 26, 2024 RACE 1 MORGS FREEMAN has been in consistent form throughout the campaign and won a very similar race to this four starts back. That was… Read More
Weekend Tipsters April 26, 2024 Caulfield Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 3 9 4 5 – 8 10 – 1 5 6 – 15 2 1 9 6 3 Best Bet… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview April 26, 2024 Race 1 MACHS BETTOR (1) battled bad draws towards the end of his last campaign but warmed up for this assignment with a good 3rd… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Caulfield Preview April 26, 2024 Race 1 BEWS caught the eye when resuming and may settle a bit closer from a favourable draw. AWAPUNI PRINCESS will settle close to last… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Friday Greyhound Best Bets April 26, 2024 MANDURAH Race 1 No. 1 Bracton and No. 8 Nitro Ruby Steady one to start the card. The 1 on its best form wins but… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Rosehill Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 Racing returns to Rosehill after a hugely successful autumn carnival, no more Group & Listed racing until the spring. Although not drawn well… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 Tough race to open up a big day at Eagle Farm even allowing for the smallish field. I’ll lean to the consistent CONNECTICUT… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 SIREN ASSAULT won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes and then last weekend sat three deep the trip in the Karrakatta Plate when still… Read More