There is much to like about how Darren McAuliffe and his stable are performing and that success can carry over to Northam on Thursday. McAuliffe has prepared five winners from the past three metropolitan and country meetings and is fresh from a Belmont double on Saturday.
Boom two-year-old sprinter Rebel King has headlined McAuliffe’s golden streak and not far behind in consistency has been Ram Jam. Although not in the same class as his more illustrious stable mate, Ram Jam has been firing since resuming from a spell in June.
He flashed home to win first-up in Kalgoorlie over 1200 and backed up impressively when stepping up to the mile 14 days later.
With in-form jockey Ben Kennedy, 58.5kg and a good draw in barrier five, Ram Jam looks capable of making it a winning hat trick in the Radiowests Regional Assistance Fund For PMH Handicap (1600m).
“This looks a winnable race if he gets a little luck in running and a nice run in transit,” said McAuliffe.
“He has a nice turn-of-foot and weight wise he is in the right bracket. “I had Belmont as an option on Wednesday so hopefully I’m on the right leg and this is the race for him.”
McAuliife is hoping Versed Remedy can rise to the stable’s high expectations when she attempts to break a frustrating run in the GM5FK Golf Day Maiden (1100m).
Plans for the daughter of hot sire Universal Ruler, who has five placings from nine starts, went awry when she resumed first up at Northam on June 26.
McAuliffe copped a double blow when regular jockey Shaun O’Donnell was unable to take the ride and then watched aghast when the filly bungled the start.
It proved a telling blow for the public elect who battled away manfully for a third placing behind front-running speedster Mamaroochy.
Top hoop William Pike gains his first ride on Versed Remedy and can have the two-year-old filly in a prominent position from barrier five.
“It wasn’t ideal having to change a jockey two seconds before a race,” said McAuliife.
“She missed the start and was gone from there. “I hoping and expecting improvement from her.”
Julio Santarelli RWWA
