Northam hopes old mate is on Money
VETERAN NSW country galloper Big Money returns to Doomben on Saturday nearing the form that took him win two stakes races at the track.
Big Money was rated one of the most promising horses in Australia after winning the Group 3 George Moore Stakes and Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben in December 2014.
He had earlier in the year won two other stakes races – the Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm and the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
In the three years since, the Scone-trained Big Money has had a rollercoaster career, running in Group 1 races such as the Stradbroke Handicap and Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane and The Goodwood in Adelaide without being disgraced.
But he has won only one since, the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes, at Randwick in February last year.
After Big Money struggled in Sydney during the winter, trainer Rodney Northam gave him a good spell.
“Since he has been back he has had three trials, winning them all at Muswellbrook, Newcastle and Scone,” Northam said.
Big Money confirmed the trial form with a first-up third to Samantha and To Excess in a three-way photo-finish at Randwick on November 7.
“It was a pleasing run and more like his old self and there wasn’t much in it at the finish,” Northam said.
“We don’t want much rain in Brisbane and I think on a dry track he is ready to race very well.”
Big Money holds a special place with Northam because the trainer has had a long association with the eight-yearold gelding’s family.
Big Money is out of the broodmare Lyn’s Money and was bred by part-owner Phil Gunter. Northam trained Lyn’s Money, who won nine races and her only three offspring have all been handy.
Her son Okane won eight races including a Grafton Guineas.
Jockey Robert Thompson, who has won six races on Big Money, will again have the ride on Saturday.
“Robert knows exactly how to ride him and it is good for him to make the trip up there,” Northam said
DOWNLOADING will never match the deeds of his big brother Buffering but he is now back on his way to being a more than handy horse.
Downloading ($7) led all the way to score his third race win at Ipswich yesterday.
The gelding, by Love Conquers All out of Action Annie, is a three-quarter brother to seven-times Group 1 winner Buffering.
Downloading races in the same colours as Buffering with many of the same owners involved.
“He will never be a Buffering but he reminds a little bit of the champ,” trainer Robert Heathcote said.
“He showed a bit of attitude today and that is like Buffering used to be.”
Heathcote hopes Downloading can now step up to city Saturday class.