Australia’s Tommy Berry has the chance, on Sunday (1 May), to improve his already excellent record in Hong Kong’s major races when he partners the electrifying Chautauqua in the HK$10 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin racecourse.
Berry, just 25, already has three Group 1 wins in Hong Kong under his belt, alongside two locally-designated G1 majors, and the bulk of those have come in hit and run missions, but the portents for his success here were apparent when he became the first HKJC-licensed rider to win a G1 on the first day of his contract when successful aboard Military Attack in the 2013 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.
The following year he partnered Designs On Rome to victory in the AP QEII Cup, as well as the HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby and the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup and this year he teamed up with his old mate to take the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. Add to that three G 1 wins atop Sunday’s mount Chautauqua; two Golden Slipper Stakes wins (2013 Overreach, 2015 Vancouver); two Singapore Airlines International Cup wins for John Moore (Dan Excel 2014 & 2015); and his recent ATC Derby success aboard Tavago then his G1-winning strike rate in the region has been remarkable.
“I’ve always had good rides here and I was lucky enough to partner Designs On Rome,” Berry said, somewhat modestly for a young man whose ability to handle the pressure on the big occasion has become something of a hallmark of his riding.
“I enjoy riding here. The competition’s pretty intense and it brings out the best in you. You have to be on your game when you’re riding in Hong Kong. The pressure’s on,” he added.
There will be no lack of pressure this Sunday as he rides the explosive grey Chautauqua who has a brilliant finishing kick but invariably stands the leaders a hefty start in his races. He has been last on settling in his past three G1 wins; most recently and most notably when he overhauled 14 runners with a breathtaking late charge to win the G1 T. J. Smith Stakes at Randwick.
“I’m certainly not going out there with the plan to just drop back to last and circle the field. Early, we won’t be any closer than he wants to be but I’ll be tactically more aware than just thinking we hook out wide. He’s not shy inside horses and came through between horses when he won the Manikato (Stakes),” Berry said.
There is certainly a parallel between Chautauqua and Berry’s most successful Hong Kong partner Designs On Rome with both needing to balance early before unleashing their finishing thrusts. “Both horses are at their best in the last 600m. You can’t bustle them early but you need to know when to get going,” he said.
“I’ll just let him do what he wants in the early part of the race,” Berry said, “and hopefully they run along up front and we can pick them up.”
Chautauqua has not missed a place in nine runs at G1 level and has recorded four wins. In three runs this year, he has won twice at the top level and was third in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington where he conceded considerable weight to the two who beat him home by less than a length. Those 2016 performances have him officially rated the world’s top sprinter on the latest January to April rankings.
“He’s just so good when he’s on song and the Hawkes team are very happy with how he’s settled in here in Hong Kong so I’m certainly hopeful,” Berry said.
Berry also takes the ride on Rewarding Hero, for his strongest Hong Kong supporter John Moore, in the Champions Mile, but is realistic about his prospects. “Obviously he probably can’t beat Maurice. Rewarding Hero’s not in Able Friend’s league and you probably have to be that good to beat Maurice.
“But favourites don’t always win and Rewarding Hero’s form has improved now that he’s been ridden a lot closer at his past couple. With a bit of luck in running, he might go a bit better than many people would think,” Berry said.
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Photo 1:
Chautauqua gallops on the Sha Tin turf this morning.
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