The final Group 1 of the calendar year will be run and won at Ascot Racecourse this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 runners set to do battle over 1800m in the Northerly Stakes.
The Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki headlines the field as a clear +140 favourite with online bookmakers in the $1.5 million race.
Having failed to record a win during the spring on the eastern seaboard, the son of Leroidesanimaux will looking for another Group 1 success in a relatively weak edition of the Northerly Stakes.
After finishing second in the Group 1 Railway Stakes last start, Alsephina (+650) from the Grant & Alana Williams stable is the only other runner in single figures with the top betting sites.
The daughter of Star Turn has drawn well in barrier six and will retain the services of Western Australia’s top hoop, William Pike.
Bustler (+1000) was an impressive winner in the Railway Stakes, defeating Alsephina by a length, and will be looking to improve on his fifth-place finish in this race last year.
Five of the last 10 editions of the Northerly have been won by three-year-olds, and the top two from the Group 2 WA Guineas, Zipaway (+1100) and A Lot Of Good Men (+1000), will be out to improve that record.
Zoumon (+1400) and Forgot You (+2000) have also made the trek across the Nullarbor in search of a maiden Group 1 win.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have engaged the retiring Damien Oliver to ride Zoumon, meaning the last Group 1 ride of his decorated career will be aboard the five-year-old gelding.
Northerly Stakes 2023 field
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