Nathan Berry hopes the talented Single can help ease the disappointment of being replaced as the rider of stakeswinner Aeronautical.
The Craig Carmody-trained Single lines up in the Vinery Stud Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday with Berry pinning his autumn hopes on the lightly-raced four-year-old.
Single, who earned a shot at the Queensland Derby last season and finished eighth, resumed with an impressive Rosehill victory over 1500m early last month.
The son of High Chaparral didn’t reproduce the same performance and raced more dour when fourth as the short-priced favourite over the same track and distance four weeks later.
He will be out to bounce back to winning form as he steps up in distance.
“On Saturday he’s drawn barrier five and he should get a lovely run midfield,” Berry, who turns 21 on Saturday, said.
“I think 1800 metres is right up his alley and hopefully he heads the way I want him to go because I’m kind of counting on him to be my first Group winner if I can.”
Berry rode Aeronautical in his past four starts during the spring but top jockey Corey Brown will be aboard in the gelding’s 2012 return at Rosehill in the Hall Chadwick Handicap (1100m).
Brown rode Aeronautical in his first barrier trial in November 2010 and partnered him to a trial win at Rosehill on January 6 ahead of Saturday’s return.
“At the stage that I’m at, it hurt me a little bit actually,” Berry said of losing the Aeronautical ride.
“As I’ve said before I think he’s a very exciting horse, I think he’s top class, but that’s racing.
“I’m sure it will happen a lot more in my long career than it’s happened in my short career and I’ll just look for another one and hopefully Single is the one at the moment.”
Single is the $2.90 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of The Owl and Rolling Pin at $7.
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