He is relying on seven-year-old gelding Husswick to give him his second Krambach Cup, after he won it with Flapdoodle, ridden by Robert Thompson, in 2009.

It was Thompson which guided Northam’s galloper After All That to victory in the $200,000 TAB Anniversary Highway Handicap at the $10million The Everest meeting at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

But despite trying to have Thompson on Husswick, the most winning Australian hoop had already been snapped up by Newcastle trainer Alan Scorse to ride Nadacheva on Friday.

The rider of Husswick will be in-form Port Macquarie apprentice Cejay Graham who claims two kilos.

Northam still had a smile on his face during the week, was in similar pose after Flapdoodle won with his parents watching and they will again be trackside.

“Mum and Dad will be there,” he said.

Husswick’s form doesn’t look flash this campaign after the gelding won three races in Sydney last campaign, two of them over 1600m.

The gelding was fifth in the Gunnedah Cup but on that occasion the track was too hard, Husswick hit the running rail and was in all sorts of bother to run fifth over 1600m.

But Northam was pleased with his gelding’s last run for seventh over 1600m at Warwick Farm, beaten only three lengths by Rosehill trainer Chris Waller’s Lead Choreographer, on September 20.

“I thought he ran very well.

“On Friday, I hope a little rain will help, he should be mid-field early and needs cover.

“He has a good turn of foot,” Northam said.

Seven-year-old gelding Nadacheva is another visitor liking the sting out of the ground and with a strong chance.

He won over 1400m at Newcastle in June and was a handy fourth to I’m Danny over 1500m at Port Macquarie a fortnight ago.

Newcastle trainer Paul Perry’s six-year-old gelding Don Pellegrino has raced well in the city and last start came under notice with a third over 1600m at Gosford on October 5.

On old form, Taree five-year-old mare Another Valley, trained by Bob Milligan, would be right in the mix and she might have showed she was on the way back with fifth to Hammoon Boy in the $35,600 Jungle Juice Cup over 1350m at Cessnock on October 13.

She has won three times and been runner-up twice on the track and did win the $100,000 Mid North Coast heat of The Championships before running fourth in the final early last year.

Taree trainer Ross Dawson is sweating on a start for first emergency Clune’s Rocket as he believes the old fellow is showing a glimpse of old form and is nicely weighted with the 1.5kgs claim of in-form Wauchope apprentice jockey Jackson Murphy.

Port Macquarie Cup Prelude winner Miss Tickles, trained at Cessnock by John Bannister, is classy but has a big weight whereas Port trainer Neil Godbolt is hoping Hippy High Ho can improve on its fourth at Coffs Harbour last week in a very open race.

DOUG RYAN’S SELECTIONS:

RACE 1: Athena’s Voice 1, Natural Predator 2, Saint Denis 3.

RACE 2: Nais Ko 1, Oakfield Private 2, Rispetta 3.

RACE 3: Penny Dreadful 1, One Invincible Cat 2, Swamp Monster 3.

RACE 4: Cash Spinner 1, Golden Shoes 2, Dixie Lad 3.

RACE 5: Bochy 1, Capital Magic 2, We’re Smokin 3.

RACE 6: Sepae 1, Oakfield General 2, Syrah 3.

RACE 7: Husswick 1, Nadacheva 2, Don Pellegrino 3.

RACE 8: Pel 1, Star Bolt 2, Nicco’s Lass 3.

                                                                    ..ends..