Today's win in the race gave the star six-year-old back to back wins in the Group One weight-for-age event after he won the same race twelve months earlier.

There were some anxious moments in the run, but like he has during much of his career the champion qualities shone through as he held out the challenges of the Bart Cummings trained Magical Miss.

Winning trainer Fred Kersely indicated he would head toward the Caulfield Cup, although a firm commitment on a rider was far from resolved.

Greg Childs extended his unbeaten run on the son of Serheed to four, while multiple Scobie Breasley medallist Damien Oliver has been a regular in the saddle of the WA star.

"I guess Greg and Damien might have to sit down and have a talk about it," Kersley said with a smile.

Again Kersley was searching for superlatives for the horse which shot the jockey sized harness star into the spotlight of the thoroughbred scene.

"I thought she was going to get him," Kersley said referring to the challenge issued by the Bart Cummings trained Magical Miss in the home straight.

"But again he found a way to win," he added.

At the post Northerly held a head advantage over Magical Miss, while Don Eduardo made up good ground to finish third, a further four lengths back.

Greg Childs was also full of praise for Northerly after the gutsy win.

"He is a great horse," Childs said. "I'm just pleased to be able to ride the two best horses (Northerly and Sunline) in Australasia."

Bart Cummings said he was still unsure as to whether he would head to the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate.

"It all depends on what horses run in the Cox Plate of course," the Cups king said. "It's a nice race (the Cox Plate) and I'd love to win it."

Connections of the third placed Don Eduardo were pleased with his improved effort in today's event.

"It was a much better effort," jockey Damien Oliver said. "He got a bit of a squeeze but still picked up."

Trainer Lee Freedman reported that the well bred entire would head to the Caulfield Cup, via the Group Two Turnbull Stakes which will be run at Flemington in two weeks time.

PICS - Quentin Lang.

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