NORTHERN EXPRESS DOES IT AGAIN

By Graham Potter | Saturday, February 10, 2024

The four-year-old gelding Northern Express had returned with a vengeance after a five-month spell on the sidelines when claiming a first-up win at the Sunshine Coast on January 27 ... and he franked that new-found firepower by making it back-to-back wins in a BM85 Handicap over 1200m at Doomben on February 10.

When he won at the Sunshine Coast in an Open Handicap over 1000m, Northern Express jumped at a starting price of $18 ... but, with that win under his belt, there was no favours shown on the betting boards this time as the son of Better Than Ready started at the race favourite at $3.40.

Down in class here ... but up in both distance (from 1000m to 1200m) and weight (from 53kg to 58kg) ... this was no ‘gimme’ for the Nolan trained runner, who was again ridden by Taylor Marshall who had handled him so well in the previous win.

Marshall used the number one barrier to good effect, landing in the leading line, holding the rail and then settling into a comfortable rhythm in third place as the $5.50 chance Enterprise Pom sped away at the head of affairs trying to make every post a winning one.

Marshall had a decision to make on straightening and, with a deft flick of the wrists, he chose to angle Northen Express out across the heels of the second placed La Amigo. That did, momentarily, cost him ground leaving Northern Express with closer to four lengths to make up once he got back into full stride ... and it did take Northern Express a while to start going through his gears.

With Enterprise Pom still a touch over two lengths clear of the now fast-closing Northern Express with only 100m left to run, it did look likely at that stage that Northern Express would fill a nice second placing ... but the Nolan trained runner was far from finished yet.

Marshall kept driving his mount out and Northern Express kept coming ... and the momentum he had built not only carried him right past Enterprise Pom with 50m left to run, but also ensured he had enough in hand to see off the determined challenge of Mahbaby ($6) from behind.

That’s two wins in-a-row for Northern Express now, which has helped take his prize-money earnings to $365 800.

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