Tommy Berry will be missing from Sydney’s biggest day of the spring but he left nobody in doubt about his form with a trio of winners at Canterbury.
The star jockey heads to Flemington on Saturday to continue his association with Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer, sacrificing what would no doubt have been a strong book of Epsom Handicap day rides at Randwick.
More importantly he heads south on a wave of confidence with three winners and two seconds from five Canterbury rides.
“Coming into the spring is the time when you want to get on a bit of a roll,” Berry said.
“The last two weeks have been quite good, I’m getting great support, not just from Gai (Waterhouse) but from other trainers as well.
“Gai’s team is just starting to fire which always helps.”
Waterhouse provided two of Berry’s Canterbury winners, three-year-old filly Supara in the Testa Rossa @ Vinery Handicap and Golden Aro in the Shop With The TAB App Handicap.
Berry says both horses have upside.
“Both of Gai’s have good improvement and I think you’ll see that more next preparation than this,” he said.
While Berry expects Waterhouse’s Canterbury pair to be better in the future, he firmly believes The Offer’s time is now.
The horse will line up in a bumper edition of the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, although he will have to contend with a wide draw in gate 15.
“I’m ecstatic with where he’s at, I’m just disappointed with where he’s drawn,” Berry said.
“He’s not treated overly well at the weights either so he’s got a tough ask on Saturday but he’ll get the job done.
“I will (miss Epsom day), but it’s not every time you get the chance to ride a horse like The Offer heading towards a Melbourne Cup.”
