Making the most of your edge is always important, and riding light has Tommy Berry sharper in his focus and gets him to the top of his game.
Berry is in the top echelon of jockeys in the country, but his smaller frame allows him chances at the bottom of the weights, unlike James McDonald, Hugh Bowman and Nash Rawiller, who can only dream about riding on the limit.
Tommy Berry is ready to take his light weight chances starting with Zou Tiger on Saturday.Credit:Getty
Berry has learnt from experience to get down to ride at 52 and 53 kilos the right way so he maintains strength. It is a process that started in August with his main spring goals in mind.
“It’s not too hard when you have good rides to do it for; if they are not good rides, it’s hard to get down under 55,” Berry said. “It’s a good edge to have on some of the boys who can’t ride that light.
“When you’re a jockey, everything revolves around your weight, so when your weight is good, other things fall into place.
“I did for it Waterford at 53½ kilos a couple of weeks ago and I did it quite well.
“I find that I’ve got into a good routine, eating well, and I’m really fit. I just feel good. And when you are fit, you ride so well.
“I reckon I ride at my best when I ride at my lightest.”
There is confidence around Berry for the remainder of the spring, because he knows when opportunities at 53kg present themselves he will be able to take them.
The first came in the form of Zou Tiger for John O’Shea, which jumps from a midweek win to the group 3 Ming Dynasty Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
“When the ride came up for Zou Tiger at 53kg, it was an easy decision to make,” Berry said. “Any horse that put a space on their rivals like he did at the Kenso as a lightly raced horse is showing what ability they have.
“I rode him in a piece of work on Tuesday and he gave me a great feel. He is such a gentleman to ride, and it made me even happier about where my weight is.
“It is a bit of tricky alley on Saturday, but he has that good natural speed and early speed, so he has the speed to overcome it.
“There is not as much pressure over 1400m, and I think he should be fine.”
Berry will also ride one of his favourites, Jamaea, at 53kg in the group 2 Theo Marks Stakes, and being at his fighting weight meant he could take the ride on exciting filly In Secret in the group 2 Run To The Rose at 54kg. It also has him ready for the big handicaps later in the spring.
“I would be pretty happy to ride 52 in an Epsom or Metropolitan if it was the right ride,” Berry said.
“It has been a nice progression to get my weight down and it keeps you focused and working hard.”
Berry almost pulled Jamaea up after 100 metres at her return when runner-up to Zapeteo in the Toy Show Stakes and, on the limit in a Theo Marks with heaps of speed, he thinks the four-year-old mare could get them late.
“I thought her first-up run was brilliant. She trod on herself in the first couple of strides and I was really worried and thought of pulling her up,” Berry said.
“Everyone saw what she did late, and I think she is capable of getting over the top of these late because she has amazing sprint.
“Drawing soft was very important for her against the boys. I think she gets in very well at the weights and she will be in the finish.”
Berry is happy to be on In Secret rather than watching her go away from him and a chat with James McDonald made him more confident.
“She has gone past a couple of times really quickly,” Berry said. “It is one of chances you get being down in the weights, and when I asked James he just said she’s pretty good.
“I was actually on Spacewalk, but he is going to Melbourne and, because I can do the weight, they put me on the filly. Arguably she is probably a better ride, and the fillies have had a bit of edge this year.”
Berry’s day will end with Waterford when he takes the step up to benchmark company.
“He is the same grade of race as last time when he won with a little more weight, but he is a horse that is just getting better every time he goes to the races,” Berry said.
“He is an exciting horse and I can’t wait to get on him on Saturday.”
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