Kersley could target Guineas with North Ridge
Fred Kersley will consider a tilt at the Belmont Guineas with North Ridge, an impressive winner of The Neometals Handicap at Belmont Park today.
North Ridge ($3.70) relished a drop in weight, carrying just 51.5kg for apprentice Jake Casey, to score his second career win against a strong line-up of three-year-olds.
Casey settled the Danehill Express gelding in third position, on the back of the leader and $2.30 favourite, Liberty’s Gem.
He angled North Ridge off the fence early in the straight and surged to the lead as Top Show ($6) started a powerful run from last.
But the finishing post came just in time for North Ridge, who prevailed by a neck from Top Show who impressed first-up.
Our Finest Moment ($9) was third and Liberty’s Gem was disappointing when fourth.
North Ridge showed potential when scoring first-up at Ascot last month and running a luckless second to Our Finest Moment before today’s victory.
Kersley has a high opinion of North Ridge and will look at the $100,000 WAROA Belmont Guineas (1600m), run on June 20.
“He’s better than the average horse in my stable but I’m not sure if he’s up to the top three-year-olds, though that was a strong race,” Kersley said.
“I think the result was assisted by the claim.
“He’s a very immature horse and only late in his three-year-old year.
“He’s probably an untapped talent.
“It (Belmont Guineas) is a race that will be looked at but it’s never been a priority.”
Impressive victories by Regal Gleam (Creating New Destinies Handicap) and First Among Equals (The Westralian Diamond Drillers Handicap) helped offset Liberty’s Gem’s defeat for trainer Simon Miller.
Regal Gleam claimed her second straight win when she beat Victorious Lad by a length.
First Among Equals racked up his fourth consecutive triumph, running on from fifth on the turn to beat Nightingale Road by ¾ of a length.
“Regal Gleam will improve off the back of that and the 10-day back-up probably didn’t suit her,” Miller said.
“I think she can get a mile and if she can, that will open up more avenues.
“First Among Equals is unbeaten this time in.
“I thought he’d be hard to beat dropping in weight after beating Malibu Style who then came out and bolted in.”
Talented three-year-old Rebel King bounced back from two defeats as a hot favourite to claim The St Vincent De Paul Society Sprint (1000m).
Despite sitting three-wide throughout for apprentice Chloe Azzopardi, Rebel King ($1.75) proved too good for Settle Strada by 2 ¼ lengths.
Tower Of Lonhro notched his third straight win, lumping 61.5kg to victory in the Ramelius Resources Handicap (2100m).
Trainer Adam Durrant said Tower Of Lonhro is likely to tackle the $150,000 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and $150,000 Strickland Stakes (2000m) next month.
