Frankie Dettori and Grandera had to be content with third place

There was to be no joy for New Zealand mare Sunline, who finished fourth in her final race before retirement after making much of the early running.

The New Zealand mare is Australasia's most successful racehorse with �4m in career earnings.

But although she was still in front with 100m to go to the line, Northerly was guided to the front by Patrick Payne and then went clear of the rest of the field.

"He's the best there is," Northerly's trainer Fred Kersley said. "Horses like him don't come around too often."

Despite the victory, Northerly is expected to miss November's prestigious Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Fred Kersley has said that although the horse would be the favourite for the race, he is unlikely to run him for fear of burning him out.

"He gives everything he's got in every race but there's only so many times you can go the well," Kersley said.

"I'd love to fly the flag for Australia at the Melbourne Cup but I don't want to break the flagpole."

However the horse may compete in next year's Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race after organisers telephoned Kersley within minutes of Saturday's victory.