Remarque will be bidding to become the second horse in the past 25 years to win the Concorde Stakes in consecutive years.
Top gallopers Giga Kick and Bella Nipotina dominate Concorde Stakes markets, but rival jockey Tommy Berry believes defending titleholder Remarque can spoil the party.
The Hawkes Racing speedster was a brilliant winner of the corresponding race last year, claiming the scalps of In Secret and Bella Nipotina over the short-course sprint.
Tyler Schiller was aboard that day, but Berry has been closely involved with the six-year-old throughout his career and says the 1000-metre journey at Randwick presents an ideal recipe for Remarque.
“I think this race suits him because 1000-metres, there is no rush to get cover, which he didn’t get last year anyway,” Berry said.
“You can just let him get that free-flowing momentum and you don’t have to ride so much of a race with him and he enjoys that.
“Once you get to the 1200, it’s a bit more tactical and he’s not the easiest horse to be tactical on. He just needs to free flow and enjoy a nice, easy run.”
Remarque has won half of his four starts over the course and distance and has been given two grounding trials in preparation for his return.
He is also a noted first-up performer and while he arrives at Randwick off two unplaced efforts in the autumn, Berry says the horse had excuses in both.
“First-up, he didn’t enjoy racing inside horses and got a bit awkward, then in the Galaxy, he got quite keen,” he said.
“But he is always thereabouts.
“You know what you’re going to get with him. He’s had two very solid trials, so he is fit and we’re very happy with him.
“He races very well fresh and he won this race last year and won it in good fashion.”
Remarque can become the third dual winner of the Concorde Stakes (1000m) after Decision Time in 2011 and 2013, and Redzel, who captured it three years in succession from 2017-19.
Berry has also secured the first-up ride on Tramway Stakes (1400m) favourite Amelia’s Jewel and has been rapt with the feel she has given him in her barrier trials and trackwork.
However, he did caution that if she was going to be vulnerable this spring, it would be first-up.
“I galloped her on Tuesday morning and she definitely stripped a lot fitter from that second trial and put in a sharp piece of work,” Berry said.
“She is very short in that race, and she is the class horse of the field. She will make her presence felt but be aware, there is definitely improvement there.”
