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Much to the delight of Western Australian racing fans, horses from that state ran one - two in today's $1.25 million Group One Australian Cup at Flemington. 
Hot favourite Northerly, sitting outside leader All Courage, worked hard early but looked to have a bit in reserve when beating off a game Rain Gauge to take the lead. Showing his usual fight he was however no match for Old Comrade who dug deep under the urgings of Paul Harvey. 

"I thought I may have gone a bit early," said an excited Harvey enjoying the highlight of his riding career, "but my horse fought it right out." Not so confident over the last 50m, Harvey said he was not sure of winning until he'd crossed the line - "you can never underestimate Northerly," he said. 

Trainer Lindsey Smith agreed - "I thought for a couple of strides Northerly was going to fight back," he said. 

Old Comrade's win, his sixth in 20 starts and his fourth at Group One level, was a triumph for owner breeders Bob and Sandra Peters who raced not only Old Comrade's sire Old Spice (a Listed winning son of Kaoru Star and also sire of Melbourne Cup hero Rogan Josh) but also his full brother All The Ace (a Group 3 winner) and his grandam Power Girl. 
"We've had the whole family!" said Bob Peters who has twice knocked back sizeable offers for Old Comrade - selling another of the Old Spice breed in Old Money (WA Derby) to the United States last year. 

Looking forward to the future, Peters still owns Old Comrade's dam and she is again in foal to Old Spice - "she has a 3Y0 and a 2Y0 filly by him, as well as a yearling colt and a colt foal," he said.

By: Kristen Manning

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