Tommy Berry views his Sydney racing swan song as a new beginning
Tommy Berry views his Sydney racing swan song as a new beginning, and not just because he is relocating to Hong Kong.
Berry, who departs Australia on Sunday to start a one-year contract riding for John Moore, was not anticipating a particularly fond farewell at Randwick on Saturday.
He rides the Hawkes Racing-trained Inference against Winx in the Group Two Warwick Stakes in which realistically seven horses are racing for second place.
“I’ve got some nice rides but probably a lot of the horses I’m on will be better in the next few runs,” Berry said.
Inference is that category with the four-year-old racing for the first time since running sixth in the Group One Australian Derby on April 1.
“He’s performed well over shorter distances before and he’ll be hitting the line strong late. I expect him to run top three,” Berry said.
Berry saw nothing significant in coming up against Winx for the final time for the foreseeable future.
“She probably won’t get beaten,” he said. “It’s just a reality. You’ve just got to have yourself happy and give yours every chance.”
Berry also nominated Gold Standard and the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Invader as the pick of his book of seven rides.
Gold Standard makes his black-type debut in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
“He gets in well in the weights (53kg) and he’s drawn a good barrier (1) to put himself right on the speed,” he said.
ATC Sires’ Produce winner Invader resumes in the Group Three Show County Quality (1200m).
“He’s drawn a little bit awkward (7) so he’ll have to get back a little bit, but he’ll be storming home well late,” Berry said.
Berry regrets he can’t ride Chautauqua in the inaugural $10 million Everest because of commitments in Hong Kong, but he might partner Siege Of Quebec in the Golden Rose on September 23.
“Gai’s already put an idea in my head to come back for that and there’s been a lot of feelers to come back for Group Ones.”
