Tommy Berry trusts Transatlantic to overcome wide Stradbroke draw

Transatlantic came painfully near to beating a wide barrier in a major spring event, with Tommy Berry now counting on the gelding's durability and endurance to improve on that effort from yet another challenging post in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap.

The horse started from the widest gate in the Five Diamonds (1800m) and went down by a long head to Vivy Air with Berry in the saddle.

While the elite jockey admits that lining up in Saturday's Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) from gate 18 will test him even more, he is certain the five-year-old has demonstrated he can manage demanding circumstances.

"It's a bit tougher this time around, there is always a lot of pressure in a Stradbroke," Berry said.

"He's a horse who can handle pressure though. He's done that in the past, and he's placed at 1800. His stamina isn't going to be an issue.

"He's just going to need a little bit of luck in that first half and if he gets it, he'll be right in the finish."

Transatlantic will try to hand both Berry and star local trainer Tony Gollan their maiden success in Queensland's biggest race, arriving in top shape after two encouraging efforts from a break.

"The good thing is he's from Queensland, so he hasn't had to travel this preparation, he has been home the whole time. He enjoys a bit of give in the ground and he is trained by Tony Gollan. There's a lot of ticks there," Berry said.

Berry is chasing a second J J Atkins (1600m) victory riding Berzelius for Michael Freedman, having claimed the race initially aboard the Gai Waterhouse-trained Almalad in 2014.

After breaking his maiden at Doomben during April, the colt had trouble with the sharp turns at the Gold Coast in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m), yet he responded well to visors and a crossover noseband by winning the Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) last time out.

The rider, who does most of the work for the Freedman barn, indicated Berzelius had always been earmarked as a bright prospect and confirmed that promise in his latest run.

If the colt can carry his class over the Atkins' mile, Berry anticipates he will be fighting out the finish.

"He just started to feel the pinch that last little bit last start, so a bit more work has gone into him," Berry said.

"To run the trip he needed a good barrier, which he's got, and the Sires' is always a very good form race leading into it."

Berry picked out Gunsynd Classic (1600m) prospect Within The Law as his strongest chance on the day after her impressive first-up placing in the Fred Best Classic (1400m), where she stormed home from near the tail of the field.

"It's the tale to her career because she's a backmarker and she has got to make her own luck," he said.

"She's drawn well and up in distance, hopefully she can hold a closer position in the run and she'll be right in the finish."

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