A series of careless riding suspensions have frustrated Nathan Berry’s desire to reach the top but a winning double on his return to Rosehill has refuelled his ambition.
Berry spent some of his time out visiting his twin brother Tommy in Hong Kong and now has the desire to work hard in the hope he too can one day ride in the Chinese enclave.
Hidden Warrior - Photo by Steve Hart
Tommy Berry got the call-up for a short-term contract at the end of the autumn carnival during which he won Sydney’s two richest races – the $3.5 million Golden Slipper and $2 million Doncaster Mile.
“I loved Hong Kong and the racing,” Berry said.
“It makes me want to get there.
“I need to work hard to catch up to Tom but that’s where I want to be.
“I’ve always worked hard but I can work even harder. Hong Kong is my benchmark now and I’d love to ride there.”
Berry has a fan in trainer Paul Perry for whom he rode Hidden Warrior to strong win over 1350 metres.
“He is a dedicated bloke and not far behind Tommy,” Perry said.
“Tommy has just had more opportunities.”
The winner of the 2009-2010 apprentices’ premiership, Tommy Berry gave up the chance to claim the Sydney senior title when he took up the Hong Kong offer which reaped immediate rewards with a Group One win on his first day aboard Military Attack.
Nathan’s first win at Rosehill came on the Bjorn Baker-trained two-year-old Brilliant Terror.
Baker is toying with paying a late-entry fee to put the gelding in the J J Atkins at Eagle Farm next week, the final juvenile Group One race of the season.
But he said he is more likely to return to Rosehill in a couple of weeks for an easier race.
Berry’s Rosehill double was matched by Kathy O’Hara who rode winners for Luke Price and Luke Pepper, young trainers who both live on the NSW south coast.
The Price-trained Belle De Coeur weaved her way through the field to win while Miss Ready led her rivals a merry dance to win over 1300 metres.
Miss Ready did her early racing with Gai Waterhouse but has shown a liking for the country environment at Moruya.
“It was big step up for her and I’m thrilled,” Pepper said.
O’Hara said Pepper’s confidence in the mare helped her in the race.
“Luke has got big wraps on her,” she said.
“There didn’t look to be much speed in the race and when I got to the front she was travelling and it was game over.”
