Berry optimistic as Incognito targets Silver Slipper redemption

It's no simple task to chart the progress of a two-year-old with limited starts, above all following a bump in their autumn campaign.

Jockey Tommy Berry is leaning towards positivity though, with Incognito ready to relaunch his Golden Slipper bid during Saturday's Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill.

Previously the market elect for the $5 million two-year-old feature, he faltered on resumption in the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) and was noted gurgling after the race, typically signaling a palate displacement.

Trainer Michael Freedman has modified the tack with a tongue tie and control bit added, and Berry indicates everything lately supports a strong return for Incognito.

"On his work on Tuesday morning, there will be no excuses and nowhere to hide for him Saturday because he couldn't be going any better," Berry said.

"It will be one or the other with him.

He'll either come out and show us what he's made of, and he'll be right back in contention, or I don't really want to think about the other option.

But they're two-year-olds, and it's week to week with them and how they perform.

I have been let down by plenty in the past, but I'd be very surprised if that's the case with this guy."

Incognito dominated the Breeders' Plate last spring and went off odds-on in the Canonbury, secured by foe Hidrix who returns Saturday.

Besides the respiratory concern, Berry admitted post-race that positioning near the front may have unsettled the colt, a strategy he'll avoid now.

"Considering his price, we tried to ride him like a good thing, but by putting him into the race the way I did, he really got onto the chewy and took a good hold," Berry explained.

"I think he's panicked because I've asked him to really be there, which I had never done before. When he won, he was three pairs back and in all his trials he was in the second half and got into a lovely rhythm, breathed really well and finished off the way we know he can.

On Saturday, drawing well was very important, and he has, and that will give us the opportunity to ride him with cover and let him do things right."

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