Jockey Tommy Berry has experienced a successful spring carnival, marked by several feature race victories and a four-timer at Rosehill last Saturday, yet he still feels his personal standards are not entirely met.
Among his significant wins are the $1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) with Apocalyptic, the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) on Declichy Boulevard, and the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) aboard Lazzura. Additionally, he secured the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) on the same mare last Saturday.
Berry identifies one particular omission from his spring CV that is motivating him to continue his strong performances into the summer months.
“I’m happy enough, but it would have been nice to have a Group One there as well, so that has been a bit frustrating,” Berry stated.
“It has still been a very good carnival, but we can always be a bit better and improve.
“Consistency is a key thing, so we’ve got to keep our finger on the pulse.
“I’m never content.”
With 24 metropolitan wins this season, including four on Saturday with Probability Theory, Lazzura, Agatha, and Horseshoe Hill, Berry currently sits third in the Sydney jockey premiership.
Although he won’t be chasing a Group 1 win this weekend, he is aiming for another lucrative feature race by partnering the Bjorn Baker-trained Disneck in the $1 million The Hunter (1300m).
The gelding has delivered eye-catching runs in his past two starts, finishing sixth behind Grafterburners in the Sydney Stakes (1200m) and coming from last in a 19-horse field to finish in the same position in Ndola’s Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Berry is set to ride Disneck for the first time at Newcastle, anticipating an open renewal of The Hunter.
“He’s going well, and I’m not sure how strong it’s going to be, The Hunter, this year,” Berry remarked.
“I’ve never sat on him… but Bjorn has always thrown me a bone here and there and we usually have a bit of luck.”
Berry and Baker recently combined for a win at Rosehill on Saturday, taking out the final race with Horseshoe Hill.
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