Tommy Berry will be straight back into Group One action just hours after he leaves Sydney on Saturday to take up a contract in Hong Kong.
Berry has picked up the ride on the John Moore-trained Military Attack in the QEII Cup at Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting.
The 22-year-old has posted five Group One win this season including the Golden Slipper on Overreach and the Doncaster Mile on Sacred Falls.
He has rides in three of the four Group One races at Randwick on Saturday – Silent Achiever in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Shahad in the Champagne Stakes and Fiorente in the All Aged.
Military Attack is a rising star in Hong Kong and takes on a field which includes South African champion Igugu.
He was ridden by Zac Purton in his most recent win and is one of three Cup runners for Moore.
“Tommy Berry will ride the horse this time,” Moore said.
“I’ve only met him on one occasion but I saw him win the Doncaster and the Golden Slipper and I was very impressed.”
Moore said Military Attack was primed for the race.
“He had a quiet trial last week,” he said.
“I told the rider not to do anything, just travel nicely and there was plenty of horse left underneath him.
“He’s spot on for the QEII.”
Berry will be in Hong Kong for 2-1/2 months and his arrival coincides with the departure of Tim Clark who is returning to Australia.
The Hong Kong Champions Mile will be run the following week with Michael Rodd to ride New Zealander King Mufhasa who has arrived safely from Sydney.
