By Craig Kerry
Bjorn Baker says it is special to link with jockey Tommy Berry for the Magic Millions Classic with O’ Ole, 11 years after the Warwick Farm trainer and Nathan Berry won the race in what became the hoop’s last major victory.
And Baker hopes an identical draw is a sign he can replicate the win with Nathan’s twin brother on Saturday at the Gold Coast.
Nathan Berry and Bjorn Baker after Unencumbered’s Magic Millions Classic win in 2014 on the Gold Coast.Credit: Harrison Saragossi
Nathan won the $2 million two-year-old feature with Unencumbered in 2014, just three months before his death at the age of just 23 from Norse syndrome, an acute form of epilepsy.
Tommy has won the race twice – with Karuta Queen (2011) and Driefontein (2012) – but those came before his brother’s death.
Berry was pleased to pick up the job on O’ Ole after regular rider Rachel King moved to Japan for a two-month stint last week.
“It would obviously be nice to link up with Bjorn 11 years later and get the job done,” Berry said.
“They went in with a very good chance that year with Unencumbered and Nathan was the stable rider for Bjorn. I don’t get to ride for Bjorn too often, but when we do, we have a nice little strike rate together.”
The Ole Kirk filly was a $19 Sportsbet chance after a last-start fifth at Randwick over 1100m, where she raced outside the lead before fading to finish 2.7 lengths off winner Gallo Nero. Before that, she was among the top picks for Saturday’s race after winning the Wyong MM Classic.
Nathan Berry and Tommy Berry in 2012.Credit: Brendan Esposito
Baker hopes Berry can give O’ Ole an economical run from gate three and the filly can produce her best in the $3 million race.
“It’s special to have Tommy on, and hopefully we can replicate what happened 11 years ago,” Baker said. “Unencumbered jumped from gate three as well, and I think a good gate is crucial in a two-year-old race.”
Berry said the rise to 1200m was a concern for O ’Ole, but he was expecting a better run.
“She looked to have a bit of pudding on her last start and I know the team said she’s had plenty of improvement coming out of that,” he said.
“She had to do a bit of work out of the gate as well, so drawing three for her is very important. She should get a good run from there, and she’ll be hopefully figuring in the finish.
“She’s had soft-track trials and one run there as well, so she can definitely handle the wet.”
Berry also has a chance in the $3 million MM Guineas (1400m), but without the luxury of an inside draw. He partners Bauhinia, which drew gate 20, for Rosehill trainers Lee and Cherie Curtis.
“She’s a lovely filly,” Berry said.
“She was a big winner first up at Wyong over the 1200, and she will obviously enjoy a bit bigger track, and 1400 is going to be to her liking.
“Barrier 20 is a bit awkward, but it’s got a very good camber the new Gold Coast track, so if she can get cover somewhere, she’ll be out wide swooping home late.”
His best rides, Peter Snowden’s Volatile and the Tony Gollan-trained Hidden Wealth, bookend the meeting.
“Volatile shouldn’t be a maidener, but he’s been placed very well,” Berry said.
“He’s drawn well, but he doesn’t like the rain, so he’ll probably need a dry track to be at his best.
“Hidden Wealth got taken on a lot the other day. Barrier 14 is not a massive query, especially over 1300. He’s got natural speed, so we’ll be able to use that, and he’s rock-hard fit now.”
