The final Group 1 of the year will feature a capacity line up after acceptances for Saturday’s $1.5 million Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot were released.
A field of 16 plus two emergencies has accepted for the Northerly Stakes, featuring five interstate raiders who will look to continue their dominance of the Ascot Pinnacles carnival.
Numerian, Attrition , Light Infantry Man, Democracy Manifest and Socks Nation can join eastern states raiders Port Lockroy and Overpass, who have taken out two of Perth’s three Group 1s, the Railway Stakes (1600m) and Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) respectively.
Light Infantry Man and Socks Mation give trainer Ciaron Maher a double hit and come out of the Railway Stakes when both were unplaced behind Port Lockroy.
Ethan Brown picks up the ride on Light Infantry Man, taking over from James Mcdonald, while Declan Bates sticks with Socks Nation.
Chris Waller will be hoping Democracy Manifest gets a kinder barrier draw after a luckless run from barrier 16 in the Railway Stakes.
Waller is no stranger to Northerly Stakes success after preparing Moriarty to defeat locals Disposition and Elite Belle a decade ago.
Rising 3YO star Storyville, on the 50kg minimum, will be out to extend her golden campaign after stunning feature wins.
Trained by Grant and Alana Williams, Storyville has finished powerfully to win the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and WA Guineas (1600m).
The Williams team are the most successful trainers of the Northerly Stakes, winning their first with Perfect Reflection (2015) and following up with Arcadia Queen (2018), Truly Great (2020) and Regal Power (2021).
Champion jockey, William Pike, who rode Perfect Reflection and Arcadia Queen, will be going for a third with Storyville.
19 three-year-olds have won the Northerly Stakes, Amelia’s Jewel the most recent (2022).
Casino Seventeen will give the Williamses a two-pronged attack in the Northerly.
Sydney co-trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald will saddle up Numerian, back in Perth after winning the Ted Van Heemst (2100m) last year.
Neesham and Archibald have turned to jockey Clint Johnston-Porter again, the trio forming a successful association in the Group 1 Railway two weeks ago.
Co-trainer Ben Pearce is sweating on an improved barrier draw for Let’s Galahvant after copping an awkward one in the Railway.
Forced to go back from gate 13, he rattled home the final 600m in 33.62secs, when fifth and just over a length from Port Lockroy.
“I thought he was one of the runs of the race and he’s come through it real good.,” Pearce told Tabtouch.
“An extra couple of hundred metres will suit as well.
“I would like to be between four and eight (barriers).
Before tomorrow afternoon’s barrier draw, Democracy Manifest is the current $4.80 favourite with swiftbet.
Attrition, a G1 champion of the Toorak at Caulfield and Storyville are $5 with online betting sites.
Super Smink, a fast-finishing third in the Railway, is $7 and Light Infantry Man $8.
