Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle

While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.

The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial two spring races. Nevertheless, her home training sessions indicated she retained her elite capabilities.

Neither Freedman nor Berry faltered in their belief in the mare, though they conceded it had been a demanding period as they strived to bring her back to her best race day form. Their efforts culminated in a victory in the $1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick.

"It's really, really satisfying because she has been going so well at home and just not executing on race day. I know how good she is when she's right," Freedman shared.

"We had to tinker around with a bit of gear for today with putting visors on and a lugging bit and it was great to see her back doing what I know she is capable of."

Apocalyptic ($26) was settled midfield by Berry, and the four-year-old unleashed a powerful run down the outside to snatch victory by a long neck from the courageous Skyhook ($3.20). The front-runner, Beiwacht ($2.40 fav), refused to yield, finishing a further neck behind in third.

The Silver Eagle serves as a key stepping stone towards the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in a fortnight, a path Freedman is open to pursuing.

"As long as she pulls up okay, I can't see any reason why we wouldn't have a crack at a race like that because she is one of the better horses I've ever had anything to do with," he remarked.

Berry, however, was more reserved in his assessment, suggesting that while Apocalyptic had proven herself over a mile as a three-year-old, he wasn't convinced that was her ideal distance as she matured.

"My only query with her is she'd had enough just on the line," Berry stated.

"There's still an option to go to a Golden Eagle, and I know she ran that trip as a three-year-old, but I'm just not sure that's her at the moment with where she's at. I'll leave it up to the team."

Echoing Freedman's sentiments, Berry was ecstatic about securing the win on Saturday, given the significant effort involved in preparing the mare.

"She has tested our patience, but it was nice to get that win today," he conveyed.

"That roar over the line, I know it wasn't a Group One, but it was more the feeling it was great for the whole team.

"I've been riding twenty years, and not many can do what she does at home on the track."

This victory gave Berry a stakes double on the program, following So You Are's win in the Group 3 St Leger Stakes (2600m) earlier in the day.

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