Clash has Winx-like feel, says Berry
Jockey Tommy Berry reckons he hasn’t been involved in a race like Saturday’s Group 1 $5m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) since clashing with superstar mare Winx.
The Group 1 hoop made the statement when discussing the chances of multimilliondollar mare Place Du Carrousel at Royal Randwick.
As with several encounters involving three-time Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Winx, Berry expects the coveted weight-for-age to be a tactical affair because of bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni. The Ciaron Mahertrained mare has proven tough to run down in multiple Group 1 assignments recently, with Cascadian only getting over her late last start in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
“It has been a while since I have ridden in a race with a horse like Pride Of Jenni,” Berry said.
“I think Happy Clapper did it one day against Winx. There were a couple in Winx races where they were trying to undo Winx. Since then, we haven’t had to worry about that so it is an interesting one.
“It is hard for horses to do it time and time again and you keep thinking is she (Pride Of Jenni) going to be able to do it again, but she does. It is going to be interesting to see who makes the move to chase her and how long they are going to wait to do that.”
Berry is expecting a “sharper” Place Du Carrousel to be a worthy challenger to fellow big-money buy Via Sistina. Via Sistina and Place Du Carrousel, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, were big-money buys by Yulong last year after being snapped up for $5.4m and $6.6m respectively in Europe.
The pair clashed in their maiden Australian starts in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) last month.
Berry thought he was on the winner at the 300m mark until Chris Waller’s Via Sistina coasted past to win the Group 1. The jockey is looking forward to the rematch on Sydney’s biggest stage – day two of The Championships.
“She would have to improve (to beat Via Sistina) and I think she has,” Berry said. “I hope Via Sistina doesn’t have any improvement, because if it does, it’s scary in itself.”