Tommy Berry’s potential first $1 million The Archer conquest would see him thanking James McDonald.
Berry grabs the engagement on Yellow Brick, from the Tony and Maddysen Sears stable, in Rockhampton’s Sunday feature, following McDonald’s declination due to a family holiday booking.
With two wins from two rides on the gelding, the last at the Gold Coast in January, McDonald pressed Berry to venture to North Queensland aboard him.
“They asked James McDonald, and he was away on holidays, so he asked if I’d be interested,” Berry said.
“He gave him a pretty good wrap and said the horse gets in well at the weights with 56-1/2 kilos.
“I know Maddy and her father, but I haven’t ridden for them before, I don’t believe. So it was through James I got the ride there and decided to go up.”
Nine prior Rockhampton rides for Berry include two successes and two thirds, marking Yellow Brick as his entry into The Archer (1300m).
Previously set for Better Get Set a couple of years past, that mount vanished with a morning scratch.
“I also rode there on Newmarket day four or five years ago and I think I rode a couple of winners out of five rides. That was the first time I ever went there,” Berry said.
“Yellow Brick is definitely ready to go. His last trial was sharp and in good time, so the team has him primed for the race.
“They’re very confident and James gave it a very good push. He really liked him.”
The Rockhampton trip finishes a frenetic period for Berry at Wagga Carnival Thursday and Friday, plus Saturday at Hawkesbury standalone.
More flights await with Brisbane as his winter racing base.
“This week is hard because we’ve got Wagga on the Thursday and Friday, but I do enjoy going to different places and supporting the clubs,” Berry said.
“I’m going to be up in Brisbane for pretty much the whole carnival now, so the travel is something you’ve got to get used to.”
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