For all the things Tommy Berry learned in Hong Kong, there were also a few he forgot.
Berry returns to Sydney Saturday racing for the first time in almost three months with seven mounts at Randwick this weekend.
It comes after a low-key Sydney resumption at Hawkesbury last Sunday, and a few minor adjustments.
“I used the whip on too many occasions in my first two rides on Sunday,” Berry said.
“The rules are different in Hong Kong and I had forgotten about that.
“But the stewards quickly reminded me with a $400 fine.”
Berry had not ridden in Sydney since the final day of the autumn carnival on April 27.
A sensational season in which he netted five Group Ones – including the Golden Rose, Golden Slipper and Doncaster Mile – helped earn him a 2-1/2 month stint in Hong Kong where he added the QEII Cup to his Group One tally.
As much as it was a career stepping stone, Hong Kong was also a life experience.
The lessons learned were “more off the track than on”.
He had the chance to extend his stay there but opted to come home – for now – where he feels he still has much to achieve.
Berry “watched every race” in Sydney while he was away and punters should have no concerns about him being up-to-date with the form.
He has also been welcomed back into the fold at the Gai Waterhouse stable and has three rides for her at Randwick, including Northern Glory in the opening race.
“He’s won his last two and he is very honest,” Berry said of the two-year-old.
“He is going up a lot in weight (to 59kg) and he’s not overly big so that’s the query, whether he can carry that weight.”
Berry will also link with his trainer-father Kevin when he rides My Destiny in the July Sprint (1200m).
My Destiny was off the scene for 18 months but made a solid return earlier this month when he finished third behind Master Harry and Zaratone.
Berry’s Hong Kong sojourn robbed him of a shot at the Sydney jockeys’ title, which instead is being fought out by Hugh Bowman and Nash Rawiller.
That pair will renew their battle at Randwick with Bowman holding just a half-win advantage.
Despite Berry’s significant absence, he is still fourth on the jockeys’ table with 55 wins this season.
