Tommy Berry backs Storm Leopard for Derby after Rosehill staying win
Jockey Tommy Berry proposed footing the $44,000 late nomination expense himself to ensure Storm Leopard gains entry to the ATC Australian Derby post his commanding display in the Group 2 $300,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
"I'll offer to pay the late entry if they want,'' Berry said.
"He's so clean winded, he's a real stayer. The team has done a great job with him, bringing him here in such great order.
"I only got on for the first time today so thanks to the Hayes boys for the opportunity and looking forward to hopefully riding him in the Derby."
Trainer Ben Hayes explained Storm Leopard was originally listed for the Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) over Royal Randwick next Saturday, but they withdrew from the first acceptance payment earlier in the gelding's preparation.
"We took him out of the 'noms' and were looking at the South Australian Derby but we changed our plans (again) because he started to go so well,'' Hayes said."It will be a discussion we need about next week but if he pulls up well, it's definitely something that will be considered. It is a good problem to have.''
At $4.20 in betting, Storm Leopard benefited from the strong tempo, assumed command halfway down the straight, and pulled away for a near two-length victory.
The $81 chance Eureka Rebel ran an encouraging Derby gallop, hitting the line well for second, while front-runner Shangri La Boy at $5 boxed on for third.
Sadly, the event was tainted by the severe near-fore injury to market leader Arcora ($2.40), who broke down in the latter stages.
Stewards from Racing NSW questioned Arcora's jockey Nash Rawiller along with trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, later announcing the colt was euthanised.
Rawiller, who handled the situation expertly by steadying Arcora, described the colt's gait as "felt amazing" beforehand.
"He got into a lovely rhythm during the race – this came out of nowhere,'' Rawiller said.
To stewards, Busuttin described Arcora as the "soundest horse you could ever find" after flawless lead-up work for the Tulloch Stakes.
Post-race, Hayes showed class in his media comments following Storm Leopard's triumph.
"I feel for the connections of Arcora,'' was Hayes's first comment. "You never want to see that happen.''
Berry admitted concern for Rawiller and the stricken Arcora once the problem was evident.
"My mind was on Nash (Rawiller - on retired runner Arcora) to make sure he was alright,'' Berry said."But then you've got to make sure you focus up again.''
According to Berry, Storm Leopard asserted with a "lot of authority", even accounting for some straight-line deviation by the chestnut.
"Storm Leopard got to the leader very quickly and was left in front a long way from home,'' Berry said.
"I would've loved to have something challenge him halfway down the straight because he felt like he was floating where he was.
"I had enough looks to make it as soft as I could late just in case he had to back up. He's trained by a bunch of gentlemen that send their horses to Sydney in such great order so if they decided to go that way it wouldn't be an issue.''
The gelding Storm Leopard is poised to emulate the 10th horse in pulling off the Tulloch Stakes-ATC Australian Derby double, emulating Quick Thinker (2020), Angel Of Truth (2019), Levendi (2018), Jon Snow (2017), Starcraft (2004), Ivory's Irish (1995), Mahogany (1994), Durbridge (1991) and Prolific (1984).
TAB Fixed Odds added Storm Leopard to Derby wagering post-Tulloch at $4.50, trailing only joint leaders Observer and Green Spaces on $3.50, as he hadn't been entered previously.
Trainer Matthew Smith praised the Derby trials from his runner-up Eureka Rebel and Dezignation in fifth. "Both horses are strong, young stayers and as long as they pull up well, I would like them to back up in the Derby,'' Smith said.
Rider Kerrin McEvoy on Eureka Rebel was confident the gelding would stay the Derby journey next Saturday.
"He ran really well,'' McEvoy said. "I didn't jump like we thought but he got a nice trip around and he goes to Randwick to enjoy the 2400m,'' McEvoy said.
Shangri La Boy's jockey Adam Hyeronimus secured third and noted improvement, though not the horse's top form.
"That is not the best version of him,'' Hyeronimus said. "The best version of him is jump and relax in front then show his sharp turn of foot.''
Head to online bookmakers to find the keenest markets for the upcoming ATC Australian Derby.
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,...