Big Money draws midfield in Lough Neagh Stakes

Scone sprinter Big Money has drawn midfield at barrier six in the twelve horse Listed $175,000 Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Big Money has drawn midfield in the Lough Neagh  Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Big Money has drawn midfield in the Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The Rodney Northam trained Big Money is looking for back to back Doomben wins after beating Someday and Cape Kidnappers in the Group 3 $200,000 Channel Seven George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben two weeks prior.

And another win at Listed level will help Northam lock in a return trip to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival with bigger targets in sight and a possible run in the Group 1 $750,000 Doomben 10000 (1350m) at Doomben and in the Group 1 $2m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Northam has reported that Big Money has done well since his George Moore Stakes win but his only concern in the 59.5kg with Someday and Cape Kidnappers both meeting the topweight better at the weights.

“He came through the run really nicely – he pulled up well and has done really well in the week since,” Northam told Racing Ahead.

“The weight’s a little bit of a concern.”

The Tony Gollan trained Someday (barrier 9) will meet Big Money 1.5kg better off after beating beaten one and a quarter lengths in the George Moore Stakes while Cape Kidnappers (barrier 12) is 2kg better off after finishing one and three quarters lengths third.

Regular rider Robert Thompson will also be returning to Doomben to partner Big Money and is certain to give him another sweet ride from gate six in the twelve horse field.

Thompson has developed a successful combination with Big Money and as well as winning the George Moore Stakes, the champion jockey was aboard when the five year old won the Group 3 $175,000 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Carnival and the Listed $150,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on July 9.

The Kelso Wood trained Into The Red (barrier 10), Riva De Lago (3) from the Robert Heathcote stable, and Liam Birchley’s Time To Plunder (1) are all meeting Big Money better at the weights after finishing fourth, fifth and seventh in the George Moore Stakes.

As well as saddling up Someday, Tony Gollan has also accepted with Whiskey Allround who is chasing his fourth win on the trot stepping up in class after winning a Class 6 over 1200m at Doomben on December 6.

North Queensland galloper Vandalised is another who is a frequent visitor to the winner’s stall having won eleven of his last thirteen starts and is also up in class after scoring over 1300m at Rockhampton on November 27.

The Jamie McConachy trained six year old will jump from gate seven with Brad Stewart to ride.

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.