Old North Leads Home Godolphin Four-Timer

The G1 Australian Derby is looming for Old North after the colt headed a stellar Godolphin performance at Rosehill on Saturday, March 26.

On a program when the strength and depth of the team went on show, Old North (John O'Shea/James McDonald) defied the racing pattern to win the G2 Tulloch Stakes and become one of four winners for the stable.

The son of Lonhro was followed into the winner's enclosure by It's Somewhat who won the G3 Neville Sellwood Stakes, Havana Cooler in the G3 Doncaster Prelude and Federal who took out the ungraded E-Group Security Handicap, all of them trained by John O'Shea and ridden by James McDonald.

Should Old North proceed to next week's Derby he would join stablemates Tally and Etymology in Australia's premier classic.

But O'Shea will first assess the colt's recovery and consult owner His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"The Derby has been on our radar for a while and he's a colt who is on an upward spiral," O'Shea said.

"We'll see how he comes up over the next few days. There's a bit to think about, but we'll do what is best for the horse."

It's Somewhat, an Eclipse Stakes placegtter in England, scored his third Australian victory and is now likely to be aimed at the mid-year Brisbane Winter carnival.

"That was an impressive effort because they made us work all the way," O'Shea said.

"He's a horse with a bit of class who may have another run here in Sydney before going up north where the (G1) Doomben Cup looks like a nice race for him."

Havana Cooler's victory was his first in Australia and by far the best of a career that includes two wins in three-year-old races in the UK.

The son of Hurricane Run is also to be set for the Brisbane carnival with the G2 Brisbane Cup his likely target.

"He's been very good from the first run he had for us last year. He really deserved to win a good race and now that he has I expect him to win a few more," O'Shea said.