Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix
With an honour roll that includes Family Of Man, Kingston Town (Bletchingly), Military Plume (NZ), Vo Rogue (Ivo Prince {USA}), Better Loosen Up (Loosen Up {USA}), Summer Beau (NZ) (Sky Filou {NZ}), Old Comrade (Old Spice) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro), it’s little wonder Bob Peters doesn’t get tired of winning the G1 Northerly S.
The fact he helped introduce the race way back in 1976 when he was on the WA Turf Club committee may also have something to do with it.
“I think this race and the (G1) Railway Stakes are the two best races we have here in Western Australia, by a long way,” Peters told TDN AusNZ.
“I think this race (G1 Northerly S.) and the (G1) Railway Stakes are the two best races we have here in Western Australia, by a long way.” - Bob Peters
“It’s always good to win a Group 1, that’s what we’re here for.
“The race goes back a long time and it was quite exciting at the time for everyone when it was created.”
Peters, one of the most prominent owners and breeders in Australia, has won the race on seven occasions. His first tasted success in the race in 1999 with Old Nick (Old Spice), who scored a narrow victory at 11-4 under Peter Knuckey.
Twelve months later, Peters won it again, this time with one of the best horses he has ever had, Old Comrade, who scored as a 3-year-old.
Old Comrade became just the second back-to-back winner of the race in 2001, joining Summer Beau. Playing God has since joined that duo, with the son of Blackfriar's scoring in 2010 and 2011.
Playing God | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Peters would have to wait until 2015 for the next triumph, that coming via Perfect Reflection (More Than Ready {USA}), who became the first filly to win the race.
In 2018, 3-year-old Arcadia Queen provided Peters with one of the greatest moments in his storied career in racing when she blew away her rivals in an astonishing display. Peters was visibly emotional after the freak filly’s 4.5l demolition job in what was her sixth career start.
The ill-fated Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}) handed Peters his sixth win when he took out the 2020 edition, while Regal Power (Pierro) knocked off stablemate Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), who was a prohibitive odds favourite, last year.
“Both of them, Old Comrade and Arcadia Queen are my best winners of the race,” said Peters.
“Both of them, Old Comrade and Arcadia Queen are my best winners of the race.” - Bob Peters
“Old Comrade won it as a 3-year-old and then he came back and won it again as a 4-year-old. When he won it in 2001, he did the double, having won the Railway as well.
“He was an outstanding galloper; I always say he’s the best horse I’ve had.
“Arcadia Queen… her win was a bit different, wasn’t it? It was probably the win I’ve had that surprised me the most.”
A race with many names
The race has had many names since its inception, including the Marlboro '50,000', Western Mail Classic, Rothwells, Winfield S., Beat Diabetes 2 S. and Fruit 'N' Veg S. It was named the Kingston Town Classic in honour of the race’s winner of 1982 hero.
Kingston Town
In July, the Group 1 feature was renamed the Northerly S. as a nod to one of the state’s great champions, who won the G1 Railway S. at Ascot in 2000, before venturing east, where he claimed back-to-back Cox Plates in 2001 and 2002 and retired with prizemoney of almost $9.5 million.
Peters said he wasn’t in favour of the change.
“My reaction… I thought it had finally settled on a good name,” Peters remarked
“My reaction… I thought it had finally settled on a good name.” - Bob Peters
“Nothing against Northerly, he deserves to have a Group 1 named after him.
“Anyway, it is what it is, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
More hopeful than confident
Peters often has multiple runners in the Northerly S. but finds himself with just the one in 2023, that being 4-year-old mare Treasured Star (Toronado {Ire}).
The 4-year-old mare, who is closely related to Peters’ dual Group 3 winner Battle Hero (Stratum), heads into the Northerly on the back of a victory in the G3 Asian Beau S. and a sixth-placing in the G1 Railway S.
Treasured Star (black cap) | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
She will be ridden by William Pike off gate five.
Peters admits Treasured Star has her work cut out, but he would love nothing more than to upset favourite’s Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) and get his hands on the Northerly S. trophy for a third consecutive year and eighth overall.
Asked if she can win on Saturday, Peters said, “Well, she’s going to have to prove that, she is yet to prove she is up to this class yet.
“When you get into Group 1s, it’s never easy.
“She has to go up a level to win this race, there’s no doubt about that.
“It would be great if she could win, to have a Group 1-winning daughter of Toronado would be great. Even if she could run a place, it would enhance her CV, especially with it being a weight-for-age race.”
“It would be great if she (Treasured Star) could win, to have a Group 1-winning daughter of Toronado would be great. Even if she could run a place, it would enhance her CV, especially with it being a weight-for-age race.” - Bob Peters
Peters believes the market has got it right, with eastern states visitor, the James Cummings-trained Cascadian, and Simon Miller’s local star Amelia’s Jewel, dominating the betting.
“Cascadian has to be respected, any horse that can win the Group 1s he has… and he’s got a rating that’s through the roof,” Peters explained.
“Amelia’s Jewel is a very good filly. I don’t think the distance will worry her, she’s drawn a good barrier and she’s got the right rider (Patrick Carbery) on her.
“Amelia’s Jewel is a very good filly. I don’t think the distance will worry her, she’s drawn a good barrier and she’s got the right rider (Patrick Carbery) on her.” - Bob Peters
“She has to be favourite, I think, and I think she will start favourite.”
Peters looks forward to Queen’s offspring
Away from the track, Peters admitted he was keen to keep an eye on Arcadia Queen’s progeny.
The brilliant mare, who notched three wins in top company, was last year purchased for a sale-topping $3.2 million by Arrowfield Stud at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Arcadia Queen | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Arcadia Queen was served by Australia’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible last spring, and on September 16, she gave birth to a colt.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what she can produce as a broodmare,” Peters commented.
“He’s certainly got a stallion’s pedigree, hopefully, he has some ability.”
Matt Hill, stud manager at Arrowfield Stud, told TDN AusNZ that Arcadia Queen has taken to the next phase of her life like a duck to water and her ‘Vinnie’ colt is a beauty.
“We’re delighted with him, it’s a very good first foal from the mare,” Hill said.
“We’re delighted with him (the I Am Invincible x Arcadia Queen, colt), it’s a very good first foal from the mare.” - Matt Hill
“He’s a fine stamp of a colt, very much in the mould of his mother.
“He’s very athletic and very, very forward and we’re very pleased with him.
“Mum is in great order and safely back in foal to I Am Invincible.
“She has really let down into her career as a broodmare really well. She’s a doting mother.”
