Northerly Earns Narrow Win Over Sunline in Cox Plate

Northerly edged Sunline and Viscount to win the $1.15 million Cox Plate (Aus-I) on Saturday at Moonee Valley. The Fred Kersley-trained 6-year-old gelding had to withstand protests lodged by both Sunline and Viscount, according to Reuters. The connections of Viscount also lodged a claim of foul against Sunline. The stewards denied the claims after an inquiry.

"There was interference late in the race and I think many things contributed to it," Kersley told Reuters. "I would have been really disappointed if he had lost it. I think the celebrations will be long and wild."

Northerly (Serheed--North Bell, by Bellwater) won by three-quarters of a length, according to Reuters, to earn his fifth group I victory and deny Sunline a record-tying third consecutive Cox Plate win. The victory marks the 11th in 16 career races for Northerly, who prepped for this event by winning the Yalumba Stakes (Aus-I) two weeks ago. The win is the fourth straight for Northerly, including a victory in the Underwood Stakes (Aus-I). Damien Oliver booted home the winner. Judy Kersley, wife of the trainer, and the gelding's Perth breeders, Susan and Neville Duncan and others, owns Northerly.

Arlington Million (gr. IT) winner Silvano finished fourth in his attempt to earn a second Emirates World Series race victory.