Kersley Reserved for Northerly Return

Friday, 16 August 2002 00:00

Perth's pin-up horse Northerly makes his much anticipated return to the track in the listed Goodwood Sprint in Perth tomorrow and incredibly he will carry a kilo less than when he won the race last year.

A change in the handicapping conditions, where the maximum topweight is now capped at 60 kilograms, the Fred Kersley trained gelding drops from the 61 he carried to win last year.

Northerly has drawn the inside barrier for tomorrow's 1300 metre race, in which he will have some ten rivals.

Kersley is hopeful but not overly confident the gelding can return to the track in winning style.

"I'd like to say to the public to be understanding because the horse is not unbeatable," he told the West Australian.

"He is more fresh than fit and he is starting off what will be a long campaign. He is a year older and it is harder for them to come back fresh."

Among Northerly's opponents tomorrow include the last start winners Corporate Bruce and Prince of Pop and the talented duo of Pindarri and Tender Smile.

He is expected to have another run in stakes class in Perth before he is sent to Melbourne where he will again be set for the Group One WS Cox Plate, a race he won in sensational style last year.

PICS - Quentin Lang.