MELBOURNE, Oct 19: Northerly won the group one Caulfield Cup over 2,400 metres Saturday to enhance his reputation as Australia’s best race horse.

Perfectly ridden by jockey Greg Childs, Northerly swept to the lead rounding the final bend and held on to beat the fast-finishing Fields Of Omagh by half a neck with Republic Lass third.

Northerly, a six-year-old gelding, collected A$1.35 million (US$742,000) for his stirring win to join Sunline, Tie The Knot and Octagonal as the only Australasian horses to win in excess of A$5 million in their careers.

Result : 1. Northerly (ridden by Greg Childs) 2. Fields Of Omagh (Damien Oliver) 3. Republic Lass (Glen Boss)

17 ran.

Distances: half a neck, three-quarters of a length.

Winner trained in Australia by Fred Kersley.

Value to winner: A$1.35 million (US$742,000).

Tote (includes A$1 stake); Win A$4.20; places A$2.00, A$2.20, A$4.00. Dual Forecast A$23.20—Reuters