Soul Of Spain and Berry set sights on Sydney Cup via Tancred
Tommy Berry hasn't hidden his keenness to steer the developing stayer Soul Of Spain through to the Sydney Cup, securing the mount initially and vowing to stay aboard for his entire autumn preparation.
It's proving a astute move so far, as the gelding under Chris Waller's guidance is co-favourite for the upcoming two-mile spectacle next month, while holding genuine prospects in this weekend's weight-for-age Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill.
The one-time Irish import stamped his authority last spring with a pair of encouraging triumphs up north in Queensland, capped by success in the Newcastle Cup (2300m) and a fine second placing in the Metropolitan (2400m).
In his two most recent appearances, he has flashed potential by storming home strongly, crossing the line sixth to elite performer Autumn Glow in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) second-up during February, before going down only to Vauban in the Sky High Stakes (2000m) on March 14.
The jockey has been impressed by these runs and believes despite suboptimal weights in the Tancred Stakes, the extra journey will play to Soul Of Spain's strengths.
"Obviously, the step up to 2400 metres is going to suit on the way to a Sydney Cup . . . although, he's got to meet some pretty handy horses at around the same weight," Berry said.
"Last 'prep' he was doing things on raw ability when he was coming through the grades, but he is a lot more seasoned.
"Chris Waller got to travel him a little bit last preparation, up in Queensland and back to Sydney, and usually that's very good for stayers. He has come back a more professional racehorse, and he's got a really good turn of speed."
Berry regards victory in the Tancred Stakes as a welcome addition, but regards the Rosehill weight-for-age event as prime lead-up for the gelding's Sydney Cup aspirations, with the five-year-old easing to 53.5kg from Saturday's 59kg impost in the handicap.
"He's ready to take the next step and Chris always uses a method getting to his grand finals, and the race on Saturday is one he's used previously to get his better horses to a Sydney Cup," he said.
Visit the online bookmakers to find racing betting markets for the Sydney Cup.
More Racing News
Freedman's classy pair set sights on Sydney features
Mitch Freedman is yet to confirm Attrition's resumption at Rosehill this weekend, but a Sydney campaign later in the year is firmly on the agenda for the impressive galloper.The Ballarat trainer has once again earmarked the Hill Stakes, to be run on October 10, as the primary spring target for...
Another Wil readies for Victorian campaign start
Having transferred to Victoria, Another Wil is poised to commence his latest campaign in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.The seven-year-old arrived at Ciaron Maher's Ballarat stable last Saturday morning from Sydney. His participation on Saturday hinges on a Tuesday workout.Accompanying Another Wil on the trip from Sydney were Light...
Country racing clubs at risk from proposed gambling legislation
The financial stability of Australia's country race clubs, the very essence of thoroughbred racing, is under threat if gambling reforms extend beyond the current legislative proposals.During a recent Senate inquiry in Canberra, Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison and acting Racing NSW chief executive Graeme Hinton passionately articulated the potential...
Oliveanotherday's spring preparation begins with Casterton jump-out
Tom Dabernig is preparing to increase the workload for the promising gelding Oliveanotherday, with a planned jump-out at Casterton.This outing at Casterton on Monday will be Oliveanotherday's first public appearance since his triumph in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) during Warrnambool's three-day carnival in May.Oliveanotherday boasts an impressive record of...
Revengeance's Next Start: The Rosebud Or A Trial?
Trainer Adrian Bott is weighing up options for the immediate future of his promising colt Revengeance, a winner of the Golden Gift. A decision on whether he contests The Rosebud or has another trial will be made after Tuesday's trackwork.The two-year-old is set to be entered for Saturday's Listed event...
Craig Williams claims sixth Scobie Breasley Medal honour
Esteemed jockey Craig Williams has secured his sixth Scobie Breasley Medal, a prestigious award for riding excellence in Victoria.This latest win for Williams comes exactly two decades after he first claimed the award in 2006. He went on to replicate this success in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The jockey's most...
Patience rewarded as $3 million filly Ernaux breaks through at Randwick
Two years ago, American businessman John Stewart was involved in a significant bidding war for a daughter of Winx, ultimately losing out. However, he was successful in acquiring another elite prospect from that year's Inglis Easter Sale. While he finished as the underbidder on the $10 million Winx filly to...
Ninja's Missile Stakes win propels him into Everest calculations
Ninja proved too strong for a small but select group of competitors in Sydney's opening stakes race of the season, the Group 2 $300,000 Missile Stakes over 1200 metres.The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter set a race record of 1 minute 08.28 seconds, a time that would have been competitive in most...
In-form mare Flyer set for stud after Caulfield success
Trainer Jason Warren is hopeful of identifying another suitable Stakes race for the mare Flyer before she transitions to a life of stud duties.Flyer achieved a significant, long-priced victory in the MSC Signs Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield Heath last Saturday. Warren shared that the mare is already booked to be...
Shannen Llewllyn off to a flying start with Ciaron Maher-trained Eliyass
In a promising sign of things to come, eight-year-old gelding Eliyass has recaptured his winning ways with a determined all-the-way victory at Randwick. This performance serves as a timely precursor for apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn, who is set to transfer her indentures to trainer Ciaron Maher.Llewllyn, currently based in Newcastle,...