Northerly Stakes 2023 betting preview & tips | December 9

The 48th edition of the Group 1 Northerly Stakes will headline a huge nine-race card at Perth’s Ascot Racecourse this Saturday afternoon. Five of the last 10 editions of the Northerly Stakes have been won by three-year-olds, while eight of the last 10 have been won by locally trained runners. With only three interstate horses accepting for the $1.5 million feature, the West Australian domination is likely to continue.

Northerly Stakes 2023 odds

Zaaki from the Annabel Neasham yard is the clear market elect at +140 with online bookmakers. The only other runner that is marked in single figures is the last-start Railway Stakes runner-up Alsephina (+650). Both the three-year-olds in the field, A Lot Of Good Men (+900) and Zipaway (+1000), are considered good chances, while 2023 Railway Stakes winner Bustler (+1000) sits on the fourth line of betting.

Northerly Stakes 2023 speed map

Marocchino, Zoumon and Zaaki appear to be the only natural leaders engaged in the Northerly Stakes, and they should be able to settle in the first three. From inside to middle barriers, Alsephina, Bustler, Dom To Shoot and Be Optimistic should be able to find nice spots better than midfield. A Lot Of Good Men, The Velvet Queen, Forgot You and Mojo Rhythm will settle towards the rear of the field before attempting to swoop down the outside late.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Northerly Stakes.

Northerly Stakes 2023 preview & form

A Lot Of Good Men comes into the Group 1 Northerly Stakes off the back off a barnstorming finish in the Group 2 WA Guineas, where he was beaten by a long neck on the line. The Trevor Andrews-trained galloper has been crying out for more distance, and after such a strong performance over 1600m last start, he appears ready to step up to 1800m in his fifth run this preparation. The son of A Lot will only have to carry 52kg due to the three-year-old weight allowance, and he has drawn perfectly in barrier eight for Chris Parnham. With a solid tempo expected, this colt should be able to settle just worse than midfield and find the outside on the home turn to let down with his explosive turn of foot.

Although he hasn’t won in four starts this preparation, Zaaki brings in the best form with his fourth in the Champions Stakes and sixth in the Cox Plate. The Annabel Neasham-trained runner is short enough at +140, but he has earned that quote in what seems to be a weak Northerly field. The four-time Group 1 winner may well get things run to suit out in front, so we won’t be losing on the race if he wins.

The Grant & Alana Williams stable has prepared Alsephina to the minute to tackle both the Group 1 Railway Stakes and Northerly Stakes this campaign. William Pike couldn’t have given her a better steer in the Railway, but the heavily backed favourite ran into a better horse on the day. From barrier six on Saturday, Pike should be able to have this daughter of Star Turn in a perfect stalking position to produce her at the 300m mark and finish strongly once again.

Dom To Shoot was the eye-catcher in the concluding stages of the Group 1 Railway Stakes, flashing home from the back of the field to finish third. The Sean & Jake Casey-trained gelding has finished among the placings in both starts this campaign and appears ready to peak. However, Jarrad Noske will have to be at his very best to navigate a clear path from barrier one.

Northerly Stakes 2023 selections & best bets

• 16
  

  A LOT OF GOOD MEN

• 1
  

  ZAAKI

• 11
  

  ALSEPHINA

• 5
  

  DOM TO SHOOT

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