The Alex Martyn-trained Nor Nor West is racing in a rich vein of form, notching back-to-back wins at Dubbo in late 2025 and early 2026.
The Scone galloper was too good in a 1200m Class One Handicap on December 8, getting home to win after being backed in from $13 into $6.50.
Chelsea Hiller was in the saddle that day as the pair raced on the leader’s heels before timing their run to perfection to win by a long neck.
Martyn and Hillier combined again at Dubbo on January 12, with Nor Nor West prevailing in a 1018m Benchmark 66 Handicap.
Well in the market ($4.40), the 6YO Territories gelding was five weeks between runs and again raced behind the early leaders before bounding to a comfortable 2.28 lengths win.
At Bathurst, the in-form sprinter remains in the same grade with Hillier in the saddle when taking on the 1100m Benchmark 66 Handicap.
Connections are awkwardly drawn out wide, but there is a lot of pace on the inside, which may allow Hillier to find some cover.
There has been money for Nor Nor West, which opened at $8.50 but has since been backed into a $4.60 favourite in what appears to be an open race.
Markets suggest the Clint Lundholm-trained Keadool (Zoe Hunt, $5) is the Scone galloper’s biggest challenger.
Trained in Dubbo, Keadool won back-to-back races at Wellington and Dubbo late last year before finishing fourth in the Gilgandra Town Plate (1100m) earlier this month.
Back in class, the Dubbo galloper has also drawn a tad awkwardly in gate 10.
Bathurst hosts an eight-race program on Friday, with the first race jumping at 1.15pm.
Bathurst tips – January 29
Race 1: Sharbino ($3.50)
Race 2: The Contractor ($9)
Race 3: Ever Was ($10)
Race 4: Extraglow ($2.90)
Race 5: Nor Nor West ($4.60)
Race 6: Royalify ($6)
Race 7: Kobold ($16)
Race 8: Tom Vegas ($2.90)
