Tommy Berry is looking forward to reuniting with boom two-year-old Remarque when he attempts to put his Golden Slipper campaign back on track at Randwick.
The youngster, an impressive winner of his only start in January, was slated to run in the Silver Slipper but suffered a setback, prompting his Hawkes Racing training team to change course to Saturday’s Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Berry has not been aboard Remarque since he finished second to Magic Millions winner Shaquero in a February 11 barrier trial but he has been keeping an eagle eye out for the youngster at trackwork.
“I don’t ride him work at all but I did see him at the track (last) Tuesday morning and he looked in great order,” Berry said.
“Usually, if the Hawkes team doesn’t say anything to me it’s a good sign, and they haven’t. He is obviously on track to hopefully run in the Todman but he’s got to keep progressing the way he has been.
“We’re very excited to see him back at the races. It’s not ideal to have a setback and he’d have to get to the Todman and do well to make it into the Slipper, so he’s got a hard task ahead of him.”
The Todman is shaping as a key preview for the world’s richest juvenile race with unbeaten colts and leading Slipper fancies Stay Inside and Profiteer both nominated for the Group Two feature.
There were 17 fillies entered for the Reisling Stakes, including debut winner Joyous Legend, a daughter of outstanding mare More Joyous.
Written by Mandy Cottell
