Sydney jockey Tom Berry is eyeballing his second Magic Millions and a dream 21st birthday present after he partnered Sydney filly Driefontein to a dazzling victory in the $150,000 BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
Berry won this year’s Magic Millions on the flying Karuta Queen and the emerging hoop is certain the Gai Waterhouse-trained Driefontein can give him his second trophy on January 14, seven days before he turns 21.
“She’s a different filly to Karuta Queen because she was a flying machine whereas this filly can relax,” Berry said.
“She won the race in the first 100 metres today when she began so brilliantly.
“She wanted to stargaze a bit towards the line too but that’s just her lack of experience and she could have won by further.
“She doesn’t have to lead to win but when they go as fast as she does I’d rather be in front in the Millions than travelling behind green horses.”
While Driefontein turned in a dazzling display of speed to record a new race record of 1:09.38 for the 1200m, connections of runner-up Sizzling who was 1-1/2 lengths in arrears were rubbing their hands in anticipation of a rematch after his eye-catching performance.
Jockey Chris Munce had no option but to drag Sizzling back to the rear of the field off his outside barrier and the Snitzel colt took many lengths off Driefontein when he rocketed to the line in the straight.
Sizzling’s trainer Kelso Wood was rapt with the colt’s performance and said he would decide on the possible addition of blinkers for the Magic Millions after conferring with Munce.
“That was a sensational run. Swap the barriers and my horse wins easily,” Wood said.
“He just dropped the bit as soon as Chris asked him to relax and I will chat to him before deciding on the blinkers.”
Brisbane filly Snipzu rallied well after suffering a chequered passage in the straight to finish five lengths back third.
AAP TURF
