Trainer Fred Kersley will be gunning for his first Belmont Guineas since 2009 when North Ridge lines up in this year’s $100,000 Listed event on June 20.

North Ridge benefited from a perfect ride by claiming apprentice Jake Casey to win the Neometals Hcp (1400m) at Belmont on Saturday.  “He should have won here last time,” Kersley said.  “There’s a lot of upside to this fellow and that was a pretty strong race today.”

Kersley and Oakland Park breeder Neville Duncan won the Belmont Guineas six years ago with Grand Nirvana (Scenic).  “It’s not a priority but he’s better than average and is still maturing.”

Mungrup Stud based Danehill Express sired the winner from Duncan’s Fuji Kiseki mare Noreaster.  She is a half-sister to LR McDougall Stakes winner Unexpectedly (Geiger Counter) and the dam of G3 Research Stakes winner La Rieuse (Brief Truce).

North Ridge’s younger half-brother Saxophonist (Saxon) won at Ascot for Kersley and Duncan in February.  Noreaster has a colt on the ground by Oakland Park sire Rogano and she was bred back to Danehill Express last year.

The winners continue to roll in for Danehill Express.  North Ridge was his 50th individual winner this season and they have won a total of 77 races for $1.96 million in prizemoney.

Mungrup Stud will stand Danehill Express for a $4,400 (inc gst) service fee in 2015.