Dom To Shoot (+2000) has toppled Zaaki (+160) and Zipaway (+1600) in a tight photo finish in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes to give his trainers Sean & Jake Casey and rider Jarrad Noske their first Group 1 victory.
The father-son combination had attempted to break their Group 1-winning duck on multiple occasions but had never seen their horses number go into the frame after a race at the top level.
As for the race on Saturday, the six-year-old gelding was given a peach of a ride by Jarrad Noske from barrier one, as he allowed the race to unfold and ease his way off the fence upon settling.
Marocchino (+2500) set a solid tempo throughout, with the race favourite Zaaki settling on his back, while the Neville Parnham-trained gallopers, Zipaway and Bustler (+600) settled just off the top two.
The Annabel Neasham-trained favourite took the lead at the top of the home straight and kicked clear with 250m to go; however, Zipaway and Dom To Shoot were letting rip with their finishing bursts on the outside.
Under the urgings of Noske, the son of Shooting To Win lunged at Zaaki and got his nose down right on the line to claim his first Group 1 victory of his 40-start career.
2023 Northerly Stakes Replay – Dom To Shoot | T: Sean & Jake Casey | J: Jarrad Noske
Both Sean & Jake Casey were very emotional post-race as they spoke to the media after the Northerly Stakes victory.
“He had the right man on him but also had to let Dom (To Shoot) do the thinking aswell and he took it all in,” Sean Casey said.
“When he came around the corner and got him to where he could get them, I knew he would.
“He’s just a super horse.
“To be quite honest I didn’t think it would ever happen (winning a Group 1) but I’ve got my idols as trainers and jockeys… but today is quite fitting.
“I’m quite close to all the families involved (in Dom To Shoot) right back through the years and it’s a really big thrill.
“I can’t believe it.”
Jarrad Noske was just as emotional post-race when he spoke about his maiden Group 1 success.
“He’s always had it (Group 1 win) over me dad,” Noske said about his Group 1 winning father, Jeff Noske.
“When the barriers came out, I thought it wasn’t the best barrier but he got a dream run from there.
“I was pretty happy following Stevey (Parnham), Bustler and Zaaki, so I was pretty happy for most of the run and he got out when he needed to.
“I wasn’t sure, I thought ‘me beating Jmac in a photo, no hope surely’, but somehow he got the bob.”
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