It has taken more than two-and-a-half years, but the stars have finally aligned for Tommy Berry to ride Territory Express, a horse part-owned by his mother, Julie.
The talented but enigmatic gelding will line up for his 25th start in the $2 million The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday and the top jockey will be partnering him for the first time, much to the delight of Julie Berry
“She has been trying to get me on him for a couple of preparations, so she is very excited,” Berry said.
The winner of the 2024 Provincial-Midway Championships Final, Territory Express’ recent campaigns have been hindered by barrier issues, but he has jumped on terms with the field at both starts this campaign.
Trained by a close friend of the Berry family in Paul Niceforo, Territory Express resumed with a fast-finishing third in the Ladies’ Day Cup (1500m) at Hawkesbury last month before making some late headway when settling back in the field from a wide draw in The Gong (1600m).
From gate nine this weekend, Berry is hoping for a more economical run and admits it would be a big thrill to deliver a feature race win for his mum, who along with Berry’s father, former trainer John, has been involved in racing for most of her adult life.
“Dad obviously hasn’t trained for a while now, so to win one for the family would be nice,” Berry said.
“Mum has been a vet nurse for fifteen years and she was an apprentice jockey before we came along. She has lived and breathed it since she left school at seventeen.
“At least the horse is jumping out (of the barriers) now, so that’s a good start, and we know how good he is on his day.
“Hopefully we can get the rub of the green and get the job done.”
Berry, who won last Saturday’s Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben aboard Caballus, has rides in nine of the 10 races at Randwick including Fire Star for Peter Snowden in the Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) and the Chris Waller-trained Vatican in the Inglis Nursery (1000m).
