Jockey wait for Berkeley Square in Ballarat Cup
Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy is in the mix to be reuntited with Berkeley Square in the Ballarat Cup.
However, trainer Dan O’Sullivan has spoken with stewards to delay notification of who will ride Berkeley Square in the $500,000 Listed race over 2000m on Saturday until scratching time.
O’Sullivan said he wanted to see who was available to ride the gelding once scratchings are finalised on Saturday morning.
Luke Nolen, who finished third on Berkeley Square in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield last Saturday, had been booked for Saturday’s ride, but a fall at Geelong on Thursday has put the jockey on the injured list.
Kennedy had ridden Berkeley Square in his previous six starts, including wins at Flemington and Sandown and in placings in the Group 3 Coongy Cup, the Group 3 Bendigo Cup and the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
O’Sullivan is not concerned about backing Berkeley Square up after running on a heavy track at Caulfield last week.
“If we were concerned about him, he wouldn’t be going around,” O’Sullivan said.
“He’s come through all of his races really well and the option was to put him in the paddock, but he only has to walk up the road, so we thought we’d have a throw at the stumps.”
O’Sullivan said the expected rain that was forecast earlier in the week may not eventuate come Saturday.
He said one thing in Berkeley Square’s favour was the gelding’s ability on firm or soft footing.
“If the rain comes and we get on a heavy track, that solid racing that he’s had will certainly help,” O’Sullivan said.
“We know he’s solid at the trip and it might make a few others a bit suspect if we get the rain, but his best win and his best run was at Sandown when he rattled home on a firm track.
“As long as there is a good, solid tempo, it should be alright.
“From barrier two, we will be dictated to as to where we get in the run, so he will probably need clear running from the 600 metres to the 200 for him to be in the finish.”
Last year’s Ballarat Cup runner-up Young Werther has been withdrawn from Saturday’s race.
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