Tommy Berry paid homage to the training genius of Chris Waller after steering The Elanora to a fighting win in the Group Three Spring Stakes at Newcastle.
The colt was coming off an 1800 metre placing and Berry said his fitness kicked in when he was challenged by runner-up High Supremacy at the end of Saturday’s 1600m feature.
“It was a masterstroke from Chris bringing this colt from 1800 metres back to the mile as I knew he would be fit at the end,” Berry said.
“I think that was the difference in the end. Nash’s horse got to me but my colt picked up and was strong to the line.
“He’s a lovely colt and has a Group win next to his name now.”
Owned by businessman John Singleton, The Elanora is by Redoute’s Choice out of a daughter of top mare Tuesday Joy.
Berry is confident the three-year-old will get over at least a middle-distance and says he has the scope to develop into an Australian Derby contender.
“He could be a Derby horse because he is that relaxed and he was strong at the end of that race,” he said.
Waller was not on track at Newcastle but stable representative Charlie Duckworth said The Elanora had been slow to mature and had gone to another level since blinkers were applied.
“When he won at the provincials first up we thought he might be mentally a bit behind the others,” Duckworth said.
“Then the blinkers went on and he has continued to take the necessary steps and today is the cherry on top for his spring preparation.
“He is a very exciting colt.”
The Elanora scored by a half-length over High Supremacy, the runner-up continuing a frustrating afternoon for Richard and Michael Freedman.
The training partners also had to settle for second in the Sandown Guineas with Sweet Reply, who like High Supremacy loomed up to win.
“That’s four seconds for us today and two of them in Group races,” Richard Freedman said.
He added the stable had a nice opinion of High Supremacy, who would be spelled with a view to the autumn.
