The Northerly Stakes (formerly the Kingston Town Classic) marks the final Group 1 on the calendar this Saturday as a field of 15 steps out over 1800m at Ascot.
All eyes will be on the short-priced favourite Amelia’s Jewel following her win in the WA Guineas, while proven Group 1 winner Cascadian looks the main threat out of the Godolphin stable.
With $1.5 million on the line, check out our thoughts on each runner in our 2022 Northerly Stakes Preview below.
1. Cascadian (12)
Cascadian enjoyed a fruitful spring winning the Hill Stakes at Randwick and the Craven Plate over 1800m in succession. He was last seen making up big ground for fifth in the Champions Mile at Flemington in what was arguably the run of the race. The Godolphin seven-year-old is a perfect two-from-two over 1800m and rates a major threat to the favourite if James McDonald can find cover early.
2. Dom To Shoot (7)
Dom To Shoot is shooting for a double after winning over the mile last week by a clear margin. He strips fitter for three runs back and was beaten only three lengths over this track and trip in the same race two years ago. It’s been a while since he competed at the top level though and this does look a big step up in grade.
3. Bad Wolf (2)
Bad Wolf has held his form nicely despite being up for a while. He was far from disgraced finishing midfield in the Carbine Club over 1400m two weeks ago and was beaten only half a length in the Luckygray over the track and trip eight days prior. This is a big step up to Group 1 level for the first time and a win looks unlikely.
4. Startrade (8)
Startrade seems to have found some form at the right time. He was beaten only narrowly in the Asian Beau two runs back and was brave to the line overcoming a wide run for third in the Railway Stakes two weeks ago. The step up to 1800m is the query but there was plenty to like about the way he finished off last time out.
5. Kaptain Kaos (13)
Kaptain Kaos has strugled to find the same form that saw him win the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes at Belmont last prep. He was beaten five lengths in the Lee Steere Stakes last month and only came on late in the Railway Stakes. Fitter now for three runs back but will likely need luck to go his way from the wide gate.
6. God Has Chosen (10)
God Has Chosen claimed his hat-trick in the Belmont Sprint during the autumn but hasn’t returned the same horse since. He’s been beaten over four lengths in the Lee Steere and the Railway and needs to improve significantly to be any real factor here.
7. Ironclad (11)
Ironclad was around the mark to begin his prep, albeit against easier company. He ran home well for third first-up in the Linlithgow at Flemington and was only 3.5 lengths off in the Cranbourne Cup. He’s capable of much better than his run in the Railway suggests after being caught wide, but I think he’d prefer something easier.
8. Last of the Line (3)
9. Notorious One (15)
It’s been well over a year since Notorious One last won a race and his recent effort in the Railway suggest another one isn’t around the corner.
10. Trix Of The Trade (16)
Last start Railway Stakes winner shooting for a Group 1 double. The way he finished off from the tail was impressive and there was plenty to suggest he’ll see out 1800m now. The son of Trade Fair placed over this track and trip in a Stakes race during the autumn and has enough early speed to offset the wide gate. Losing Troy Turner in the saddle is the only knock.
11. Alaskan God (6)
Alaskan God strips fitter for two runs back and should appreciate getting out over further now. The lightly raced four-year-old won the WATC Derby over 2400m back in April and is a much better chance than his recent run in the Railway suggests. He won twice over this trip during the autumn and has drawn to get back and save his best for late.
12. Steinem (4)
Steinem is a month between runs after finishing a clear runner-up to Atishu in the Matriarch at Flemington. She’s since had a trial at Belmont to get her ready for her first stint in Perth and maps to get a lovely cart into the race from midfield. The step back to 1800m off a break looks ideal and she has won fresh in the past.
13. Searchin’ Roc’s (14)
Searchin’ Roc’s won the RJ Peters two runs back but was a touch flat in the run home during the Railway finishing 4.5 lengths off. He finished towards the tail in this same race last year and is likely suited to something easier.
14. Treasured Star (5)
Treasured Star flew home late to win the Asian Beau two runs back and was equally strong late when sixth in the Railway a couple of weeks ago. He won convincingly fourth-up last year and should benefit greatly from William Pike retaining the ride. Gets in light at the weights and maps to get a nice run from midfield.
15. Bustler (9)
Bustler has turned into somewhat of an Ascot specialist winning three from four starts to begin his career. He saw his unbeaten run snapped when running second to Amelia’s Jewel in the WA Guineas three weeks ago, a run he can improve on after hitting the line hard.
16. Amelia’s Jewel (1)
Simon Miller has an enormous opportunity to win his first Northerly Stakes with boom filly Amelia’s Jewel. The three-year-old star was enormous in the WA Guineas last time out, settling midfield before peeling four-wide at the turn to score by half a length. It’s hard to know if the inside gate will be to her advantage, but with three runs under her belt, the step up to 1800m shouldn’t be an issue for the favourite.
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