The market had four-time Group One winner Zaaki as the popular pick for the last of The Pinnacles top shelf features, but it was outsider Dom To Shoot who delivered a maiden win at the highest level for jockey Jarrod Noske and father and son training combination Sean and Jake Casey.
Zaaki’s trainer, Annabel Neasham, was confident that the 1800-metres of the Group 1 Northerly Stakes was the gelding’s best distance and it was just about confirmed before Noske drove six-year-old Dom To Shoot ($21) to the line to edge out Zaaki ($2.60 bookmakers favourite) by a nose margin.
Noske, who returned to race riding in February after taking an enforced break, said this victory now holds an even more special place for him along steering Black Caviar to her first two wins back in 2009.
“It was a pick-up ride for me,” Noske said.
“When the barriers came out (barrier one) I thought it might not be the best barrier for him but he got the dream run from there and with Bustler and Zaaki in front of me, I was happy for most of the way.”
For the Caseys, the son of Shooting To Win provided the family with their racing career highlight.
“It is unreal and I can’t believe it,” Jake said.
“He’s been an unbelievable horse to us and to cap it off like this is fantastic.
“He’s getting better and better with age.
“It worked out perfect and he (Noske) got a brilliant run through.
“On the corner I thought it could be happening.”
“The horse has had a few problems through his career but he’s a super horse,” Sean said.
“We told Jarrod that he would be the man on him but also had to let Dom do the thinking.”
The $1.5 million Northerly Stakes was Damien Oliver’s final ride in a Group 1 race with Zoumon ($12) finishing ninth, four lengths from the winner, in the field of 16.
