The horse Tommy Berry ranked as Michael Freedman’s best two-year-old colt is set for his seasonal return in the Rosebud and the top jockey is expecting Pallaton to make a statement.
While Freedman went on to win the Golden Slipper with filly Marhoona, Pallaton was initially considered one of the yard’s leading chances after an impressive debut win at Randwick late last year.
He didn’t quite go on with the job in two subsequent runs but Berry said he had genuine excuses both times and was keen for Pallaton to set the record straight in Saturday’s Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill.
“As an early two-year-old, we thought he was our best colt,” Berry said.
“He took all before him at his first start then had a little break and was a bit big going into the second run and you saw that late.
“His third run, he’d had a bit of a setback and he had a horse either side of him in the run, got his mouth open and wanted to charge a little bit.
“He was his own worst enemy towards the end of his prep but it was a long prep for him as well.
“Coming into this preparation, we’ve put a crossover noseband on him which he seems to have adapted to very quickly. He has put two really nice trials together so we’re pretty confident going into the weekend.”
Pallaton has won both his trials with Berry aboard, the latest on a heavy 9 track at Randwick which the jockey said he skipped through without issue.
He is also a son of Wootton Bassett and early signs point to most of the stallion’s progeny being proficient in the wet.
From the inside gate on Saturday and with just five rivals, Berry is hoping Pallaton can lay down an early spring marker.
“I guess now we just want to see him do it because we’ve always held him in very high regard,” Berry said.
“It’s one thing to do it at home on the track and in the trials, but he’s got to be able to prove it on race day and on Saturday, he’ll get his chance again to do that.”
While Pallaton has been well found as a pre-post $2.40 favourite, Berry’s mount in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m), Our Gold Hope, offers value at $7.50.
Trained by Robert and Luke Price, the mare boasts handy form lines finishing runner-up in the 2024 Queensland Oaks and a close third to Ceolwulf at Group 2 level in the autumn.
She was strong through and after the line in her most recent trial and Berry won’t be surprised if she is in the finish.
“You go through her form and she was very unlucky behind Ceolwulf a few starts back,” he said.
“She has put in two very good trials, she’s in great order, drawn well, she loves soft ground. She ticks a lot of boxes on the weekend and I’d be surprised if the market doesn’t gravitate to her a little bit more.”
