Northerly Stakes Day Ratings & Preview

Chris · December 2025

Race 1: Swan Draught Handicap (1600m)

The Analysis:

We kick off with a tricky mile event. Trio is the textbook "consistent galloper" we love to back. He has finished in the money in 14 of his 23 career starts (60%) and is rarely far away. He drops back from a solid 3rd over 1800m and meets this field nicely at the weights relative to his ratings figure. He maps to get a lovely run just off the speed. The danger is Royal Toronado, who has the "Pike Factor" and closed off strongly for 3rd last start. However, Trio's consistency gives him the edge on my scorecard today.

Recommended Bet:

Medium (1.5 Units) – Trio @ $5.00 (Estimate)

Selection	Danger	Comment
3. TRIO	4. ROYAL TORONADO	Consistent type who maps well. Solid value play.

Race 2: Magic Millions Plate (1000m)

The Analysis:

Two-year-old races are often a minefield, but the trial form here is quite revealing. Ace Queen Suited showed professionalism to win her trial at Belmont, showing a nice turn of foot. She represents a stable that knows how to ready a juvenile. The danger, Red Lark, caught the eye on debut in the Crystal Slipper, making up significant ground from the tail to finish 6th. With natural improvement, he will be charging late, but the 1000m around Ascot favors the speed of the debutant.

Recommended Bet:

Bet (1 Unit) – Ace Queen Suited @ $2.90

Selection	Danger	Comment
9. ACE QUEEN SUITED	2. RED LARK	Trial winner who looks ready to go.

Race 3: Parliamentarians' Cup (2200m)

The Analysis:

Major Mario is a standout "Fifty Percenter" in this field, finishing in the money in 20 of his 31 starts (64%). He is in career-best form, winning over 2100m last start and proving he can stay the trip. He rises slightly in weight but is rock-hard fit and maps to control the tempo or sit handy. Fame is the sleeper; he had no luck last start when held up and has the ratings to surprise if he gets clear air.

Recommended Bet:

High (2 Units) – Major Mario @ $4.20

Selection	Danger	Comment
5. MAJOR MARIO	3. FAME	Hard fit, in form, and loves the distance.

Chris · December 2025

Race 4: Quayclean Plate (1000m)

The Analysis:

This is a race where class should prevail. Castle Road drops back to his own age group after a gallant effort in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes where he led and was only overhauled late. He boasts a 54% strike rate (Win/Place) and has the early speed to overcome the barrier. He is the clear class runner in this field. Baby Pearl was outclassed in the same race but has previous form that suggests she can bounce back in this easier grade.

Recommended Bet:

Best Bet (3 Units) – Castle Road @ $3.20

Selection	Danger	Comment
1. CASTLE ROAD	2. BABY PEARL	Huge class drop. The one to beat.

Race 5: MCA Polytrack Handicap (1400m)

The Analysis:

A competitive 78+ handicap. Silver Eye is a remarkably consistent animal, placing in 58% of his starts. He fought on bravely for 3rd last start over 1200m and the step up to 1400m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation. He maps to get a soft run. Angel Undercover was excellent winning two starts back but had to work too hard last time out. If she can cross without burning too much fuel, she is a serious threat.

Recommended Bet:

Medium (1.5 Units) – Silver Eye @ $6.50

Selection	Danger	Comment
6. SILVER EYE	4. ANGEL UNDERCOVER	Consistent, maps well, great each-way value.

Race 6: Westspeed Platinum Series Final (1400m)

The Analysis:

Auto Cruise is a horse on the rise. He has finished in the money in 100% of his 4 career starts and unleashed a massive finish to just miss last start. He looks destined for better things than this grade. Gold Maker is another "Fifty Percenter" (57% place rate) who is always around the mark. He will be running on, but Auto Cruise looks to have the higher ceiling.

Recommended Bet:

High (2 Units) – Auto Cruise @ $3.80

Selection	Danger	Comment
9. AUTO CRUISE	2. GOLD MAKER	fast finisher with massive upside.

Chris · December 2025

Race 7: Schweppes Handicap (1400m)

The Analysis:

I'm looking closely at Our Paladin Al here. He resumes today but boasts an impressive 83% strike rate (5 placings from 6 starts). He flies fresh and has trialled well. If he is anywhere near his top, he rates highly. Skytalker had a genuine excuse last start (elevated heart rate) and his prior form (52% place rate) suggests he can bounce back at odds.

Recommended Bet:

Bet (1 Unit) – Our Paladin Al @ $5.50

Selection	Danger	Comment
2. OUR PALADIN AL	6. SKYTALKER	Resuming with excellent stats. Watch betting.

Race 8: G.A. Towton Cup (2200m)

The Analysis:

This is a high-quality staying contest. Captain Pluto is a model of consistency (63% place rate). He stormed home for 2nd in the AJ Scahill last start and meets the winner, Simply, on slightly better weight terms. The step to 2200m is right in his wheelhouse. Forever Boy is on the quick back-up (7 days) after a strong win, which is a traditional staying preparation tactic that I respect greatly.

Recommended Bet:

High (2 Units) – Captain Pluto @ $3.50

Selection	Danger	Comment
2. CAPTAIN PLUTO	10. FOREVER BOY	Consistent stayer ready to peak.

Race 9: TABtouch - Northerly Stakes (1800m)

The Analysis:

The Group 1 feature. King Of Light is a phenomenon. Undefeated in 5 starts (100%), he takes on the older horses here under Weight-For-Age conditions carrying just 52kg. This weight advantage is massive for a 3YO of his quality. His turn of foot in the WA Guineas was electric. Cosmic Crusader has been a revelation this prep, winning 7 of 15, and Western Empire is the class runner looking to bounce back, but giving 7kg to a flying 3YO is a tall order.

Recommended Bet:

Best Bet (3 Units) – King Of Light @ $2.50

Selection	Danger	Comment
15. KING OF LIGHT	11. COSMIC CRUSADER	The weight advantage is too good to ignore.

Chris · December 2025

Race 10: Bet Loop Handicap (1000m)

The Analysis:

We finish with a sprint where Richanco looks poised to strike. He is a winning machine with 6 wins from 11 starts (81% place rate). He is unbeaten first-up (3 from 3) and looked sharp winning a recent trial. Barrier 15 is the only concern, but he has the tactical speed to cross. Devine Belief is also a speedster with a great record (73% place rate) but resumes with bar shoes on, which is a slight query.

Recommended Bet:

High (2 Units) – Richanco @ $3.10

Selection	Danger	Comment
4. RICHANCO	1. DEVINE BELIEF	Unbeaten fresh and a prolific winner.

Summary of Best Bets

Confidence	Horse	Race	Price (Est)
Best Bet (3 Units)	15. King Of Light	Race 9	$2.50
Best Bet (3 Units)	1. Castle Road	Race 4	$3.20
High (2 Units)	5. Major Mario	Race 3	$4.20
High (2 Units)	9. Auto Cruise	Race 6	$3.80
High (2 Units)	2. Captain Pluto	Race 8	$3.50
High (2 Units)	4. Richanco	Race 10	$3.10
Medium (1.5 Units)	3. Trio	Race 1	$5.00
Medium (1.5 Units)	6. Silver Eye	Race 5	$6.50
Bet (1 Unit)	9. Ace Queen Suited	Race 2	$2.90
Bet (1 Unit)	2. Our Paladin Al	Race 7	$5.50

Prices subject to fluctuation. Always gamble responsibly.

Vincent_vega · December 2025

Im not betting at the price but King of Light surely wins the Northerly.
I hate hyping them up because they sometimes fall flat on their face but hopefully he is the next big shot to take on the East in coming years.

H-BOMBER · December 2025

Nothing wrong with Sentimental Hero at odds $51

loose_goose · December 2025

Good start with the winner & 2nd selection in Race 2 saluting

silky · December 2025

Lochie to Bob “how’s the relationship with Michael Granthams?”
Bob to Lochie “he does what I tell him to do so it’s going well”
Haha

DamienWyer · December 2025

Thought Watch Me Rock had it at the 100M but all credit with Cosmic Crusader.

King of Light got stuck out very wide with 800M to go and I think his race was over then.

lukoedits · December 2025

looks like king of light get shoved out 4 wide just before they turned for home

GLAMOUR · December 2025

And Pikeys comment on King of Light,wasn't tough enough looks like i made wrong choice,old story you are allways going to get different scenarios,everyone thought he was unbeatable ok he's being winning impressiably but step up to 1800 and taking on the big boys,don't get me wrong he's a true up and comer,let's hope he spells great and I'm sue he will come.back great.

Muldoon · December 2025

Good days racing but some of the calls average Western Empire called in a photo for third and then again back in the field as a disappointing run and in the first race the third horse called second ,second horse called third ,fourth horse called last. Accuracy is important.

Thought Autocruise was very impressive today

JayJay · December 2025

You want to check out the trot caller.....my horse not mentioned in the first run through, then got called the wrong name, in the wrong spot.....week in week out, he is diabolical.

GLAMOUR · December 2025

Muldoon said:
Good days racing but some of the calls average Western Empire called in a photo for third and then again back in the field as a disappointing run and in the first race the third horse called second ,second horse called third ,fourth horse called last. Accuracy is important.

Thought Autocruise was very impressive today

As normal he only watches the ones he likes.and have no up and coming caller,so have to put up with it.was a great run from Autocruise,they where talking about Michael Grantham,he did ride,but weight got the better of him,but did go to Harness Racing,they didn't mention that maybe Lochie Taylor Tess Daly should study up,I'm positive Scotty Emery would have know that.

loose_goose · December 2025

JayJay said:
You want to check out the trot caller.....my horse not mentioned in the first run through, then got called the wrong name, in the wrong spot.....week in week out, he is diabolical.

The winner of the 2nd yesterday never got called at the finish of it's previous start, and check out the Witterbottom, to see who was missed at the end

Flanders · December 2025

I've had the misfortune of having to listen into some races recently as I've been driving... I can normally watch the races on a device or TV.
You simply cannot rely on Darren McAullay being accurate.
It's a real shame because I like the way he calls and the excitement.
I wonder if he'll ever get this part of his job right?
To become excellent at anything, one needs to realise where your weaknesses are and work on them, much more than practising the things that are fine.
Or is his ego too big to allow this self-reflection?

GLAMOUR · December 2025

Flanders said:
I've had the misfortune of having to listen into some races recently as I've been driving... I can normally watch the races on a device or TV.
You simply cannot rely on Darren McAullay being accurate.
It's a real shame because I like the way he calls and the excitement.
I wonder if he'll ever get this part of his job right?
To become excellent at anything, one needs to realise where your weaknesses are and work on them, much more than practising the things that are fine.
Or is his ego too big to allow this self-reflection?

This not only goes with him,but with the whole of Perth Racing and also RWWA,,they are a clicky little.outfit.

JayJay · December 2025

Check out R. Bell in race 1 at Bunbury today. Cannot even call the winner of the race the correct name. He really is becoming amateur hour, it happens so often.

SLIPPERGOLDEN · December 2025

GLAMOUR said:

Flanders said:
This not only goes with him,but with the whole of Perth Racing and also RWWA,,they are a clicky little.outfit.

The industry has been incestuous since time immemorial

warrenrobinson · December 2025

Talk about amateur hour watch GP twitter interviews, surely someone at RWA can fix this and also at the same time sort out the parade ring shemozzle. Pinjarra on a Monday with Matt Young is more professional although at times the dress code is a little grubby.

JayJay · December 2025

I watched two pre race Twitter interviews with King on Saturday Night.

Learnt absolutely nothing from the in house repartee and attempted humour ("Can your horse win? If all the others fall over."), complete with swearing.....total rubbish. All done in a hurry as the horses were wandering out onto the track like Browns Cows with King chasing along behind.

There is not even a semblance of order and professionalism in Birdcage numbered order parades and the field coming out to parade in numbered order to the home straight before turning and doing their preliminaries. It is as if they have given up on presenting the product in the correct and proper manner. There were up to 40 minutes between races Saturday Night, so absolutely zero excuse for not having a proper parade in numbered order giving the presenter time to get to all runners and drivers.

Matt Young elicits far better responses down at Pinjarra from his stables interviews, he does not conduct street vaudeville nonsense and the information can be useful to punters, in spite of some shabby driver presentation.

If they are going to continue with the parade ring interviews at GP, which I presume commands a fee, get the parades sorted out and do it properly or don't bother.

bookielover · December 2025

Four race callers have been sacked by Sky this year. Among them is Josh Fleming in Queensland, who was allegedly pushed out through the influence of David " chook" Fowler, who saw him as a threat.

Perth racing could do a lot worse than bringing in Fleming who is young and a very good caller, to Perth, to serve as the second, soon to be main caller in WA.

JayJay · December 2025

Bookie, We have an excellent racecaller for Harness in waiting..waiting....waiting, and have had for years. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that he should be the primary harness racing caller in WA but Matt may run out of patience.

Arapaho · December 2025

If I was a race commentator, I would be wearing a steel coat ,or at least have it heavily padded around the back area.

JayJay · December 2025

I take your point but accountability for performance is not a new concept. For 46 years, I was held accountable in my workplaces, annual reviews, performance management plans, standards to be set and met, public KPI's in operation.

I get it that race calling is both very difficult and always in the public arena but that does not preclude consistently poor performance (and I am not talking the odd mistake, that is certainly allowable)from being called out and there has been a consistent pattern for a long period of time.

jum · December 2025

Socks Nation anyone :-&

reloadwa · December 2025

It’s all horrible really, last 3 weeks been a shit show media wise as we get more WA Racing news on racing preview podcasts, or eastern states radio than you get here now.

Throughbreds, very little coverage on SEN Turf, then RacingWA / Tabtouch socials gone walk abouts too.

Saturday beaten jocks haven’t done them for weeks now, that and the pre race interviews at the tie ups, completely gone on a Saturday. Hit and miss for little while, seems to be a when we feel like it job.

Wouldn’t mind seeing Sportfm expand the Saturday Off and Running show (previously inside running), with a Racing Rewind type show, and maybe an early look show or something.

What would be ideal is whack something on .com and racingwa TV.

Vincent_vega · December 2025

I get the impression there is a podcast in the works with some old timers hosting it.

savethegame · December 2025

jum said:
Socks Nation anyone :-&

Bit Harsh Only A Group 1.

Kalg. Cup 2018 too much red ned the day before trying to keep up with Greg Miles. Had to get Dave Sheehan to call the Cup. He would call Kalgoorlie all year, living in Kalgoorlie saved a fortune in return air fares. Not good enough for Hannans,or Cup I never got that part,

Ritchie Bell does me fine. Matt Young will get his chance whenever 5-10 years

jum · December 2025

Just give the job to Matt Young.

DMAc has the voice and delivers some great lines in big races. But he has been way too far of the mark in Accuracy for a few years now.

G'day Punter!

In this Discussion

Who's Online

Northerly Stakes Day Ratings & Preview

Race 1: Swan Draught Handicap (1600m)

Race 2: Magic Millions Plate (1000m)

Race 3: Parliamentarians' Cup (2200m)

Comments

Race 4: Quayclean Plate (1000m)

Race 5: MCA Polytrack Handicap (1400m)

Race 6: Westspeed Platinum Series Final (1400m)

Race 7: Schweppes Handicap (1400m)

Race 8: G.A. Towton Cup (2200m)

Race 9: TABtouch - Northerly Stakes (1800m)

Race 10: Bet Loop Handicap (1000m)

Summary of Best Bets