Latest News

By Geoff Newling

Rod Northam believes After All That will run a mighty race in Saturday’s $400,000 Country Championship Final (1400m) at Randwick.

The Scone trainer backs the gelding up in country racing’s feature after a gallant second to Pelerin in Sunday’s $50,000 Wild Card (1300m) at Scone.

“I’m really happy with him,” Northam said. “He pulled up well.”

It will be After All That’s second tilt at the Country Championship Final have competed unsuccessfully last year.

Northam’s great mate, Robert Thompson, who rode him in Sunday’s Wild Card, will partner him on Saturday as well.

“He hit the front a long way from home (at Scone) but kept boxing on,” he said. “It was a very brave run.”

Northam has had a runner in all three Country Championships Finals so far, finishing third with Voodoo Lad in 2015.

It’s been a good few days for Northam too.

He won at Scone with Grundalina last Sunday and then won with Nobody at Tamworth on Tuesday to give him 19 winners for the HNWRA season.

He sits fourth on the Hunter and North West Racing Association trainer’s premiership behind Paul Perry (32), Greg Bennett (26) and Sue Grills (21) and equal second on the Tamworth Jockey Club trainers premiership with Sue Grills (both 6 wins) two behind Greg Bennett.

After All That is one of four HNWRA horses in Saturday’s Country Championship Final.

Caerless Choice (Paul Messara) and Nic’s Vendetta (Todd Howlett) won their berths after finishing one-two in a strong HNWRA Qualifier at Scone and then Pelerin (Cody Morgan) and After All That (Rod Northam) won their spots via the Wild Card at Scone last Sunday.

View the field, form and race replays for the Country Championships Final here