Transatlantic narrowly missed victory after starting wide in a feature spring race, and Tommy Berry is depending on the gelding’s toughness and staying qualities to succeed from another awkward barrier in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap.
The horse exited from the outside gate in the Five Diamonds (1800m) and was narrowly defeated by Vivy Air with Berry riding.
Although the leading jockey accepts that Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) from alley 18 will be a significantly harder task, he is convinced the five-year-old is up to the pressure.
“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 attempt to provide both Berry and champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan with their first win in the state’s flagship race, and he is poised to deliver after two sound performances from a spell.
“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 looking for his second J J Atkins (1600m) success on Berzelius for Michael Freedman, after previously winning the race aboard the Gai Waterhouse-trained Almalad in 2014.
After an impressive winning debut at Doomben in April, the colt found the Gold Coast’s tight turns challenging in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m), but the application of visors and a crossover noseband saw him triumph in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last time.
The jockey, who handles the majority of the riding for the Freedman stable, confirmed Berzelius had long been on their radar as a high-class prospect and backed that up last start.
Provided the colt can handle the mile in the Atkins, Berry is confident he will be in the mix.
“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 highlighted Gunsynd Classic (1600m) contender Within The Law as his best chance after her strong first-up third in the Fred Best Classic (1400m), where she came from near the back of the field on the turn.
“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.”
Smart punters are already comparing the racing odds for the Stradbroke Handicap across Australia’s leading sports betting platforms.
