The beginning of October has traditionally been when jockeys set up their spring with good horses being readied for grand finals at Moonee Valley and Flemington, but these days Tommy Berry looks to Randwick.
The changing face of spring sees Henlein and Gringotts in their semi-finals in the Gloaming Stakes and Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday; neither horse is being aimed across the border, and Berry will not be in Melbourne for a Cox Plate or Melbourne Cup because of his belief in his spring stars.
Olentia is one of three favourites Berry will ride at Rosehill.Credit: Getty Images
“You still want to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, the Cox Plate, because they are the childhood dreams and that hasn’t changed, but the program has,” Berry explained.
“I used to love going to Melbourne. You have got to be where you get your best opportunities, and, on Cox Plate day, I have Henlein in a group 1 Spring Champion Stakes for $2 million, and Gringotts will be running for $3 million in the Big Dance on Melbourne Cup day.
“I have locked into those two early because from the first time I got on Henlein I thought, ‘gee you feel like a group 1 horse’, and Gringotts is perfectly placed in the Big Dance.
“I can’t be on better rides than them in those races down south.
“It is not something you do lightly, because the Melbourne Cup is such a big race that I want to win.”
Gringotts qualified for the Big Dance through the Tamworth Cup, and the focus since has been on Melbourne Cup day at Randwick.
He returned with tight photo-finish loss to McHale in the Bill Ritchie Handicap, and missed the Epsom because the Alan Brown affords a better pathway to the Big Dance.
Tommy Berry’s dreams of winning a Melbourne Cup will have to wait until next year.Credit: Getty
“He is favourite for a $1.5 million race on the weekend, and it will be crucial to his Big Dance chances,” Berry said.
“He has been a bit fresh and keen early in his preparation, so I want to see him switch off a bit, and you will see the best of him.
“He is still improving, and he’s going to show that the mile in the Big Dance will be ideal.”
Gringotts at $4 is the longest price of three favourites Berry will ride on Saturday, the other two being Olentia in The Nivison and the unbeaten filly Spirit Of Wealth in the Roman Consul Stakes.
But it is Henlein, which is the Spring Champion favourite but second pick behind Swiftfalcon in Gloaming Stakes betting on Saturday, that Berry highlighted as he continues the build-up toward his spring target.
“Henlein is going to be ridden a little quieter on Saturday, and I think he is going to be better when he gets to Randwick,” Berry said.
“Every run this preparation he is getting that little bit closer to his best, and there is that little more improvement left in him yet.
“Everyone can see the path he is on, and that is the Spring Champion Stakes, where he will get to his peak at a trip he will love on a big track like Randwick.
“I think the extra trip helps on Saturday, and if he wins or not he will justify his spot at the top of betting for the group 1.”
Berry described waiting for Spirit Of Wealth’s Newcastle maiden win as like waiting for Christmas, so it’s no surprise she finds her way into group 2 company so quickly after another win at Warwick Farm.
“It is a big jump and not one that Michael [Freedman] does that often, so that tells you all you need to know about her,” Berry said.
“She is a really exciting filly. She is still very green and very raw, but what she did last start was amazing and we don’t know how good she is.
“I’m happy she drew low because I think she will be better ridden with a sit to show her turn of foot. I have a good book, but she could turn out to be the best of them.”
Berry believes The Nivison is a great starting point for Olentia but is not counting out another from the Chris Waller stable, Hinged, in the Hill Stakes after she was runner-up to Buckaroo in the Chelmsford Stakes.
“That Buckaroo form sticks out now, and she really pushed him,” Berry said.
“She is just so consistent. Even though she hasn’t won a race for a couple of years, you know what you will get from her.
“She drew a bit wide, which from that 1900m start can be difficult, but she is racing really well.”
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