This autumn could see a spring kindness reciprocated as Tommy Berry links with Cliff Brown’s Sepals for the Doncaster Prelude over Rosehill’s track.
In his only previous Sydney outing, Sepals filled the minor placing behind Autumn Glow during the Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 1 with Ethan Brown steering.
Scheduled for Flemington’s Derby Day that same day, Berry went out of his way to support Cliff Brown by taking Sepals through his trackwork leading into the Golden Eagle.
A prior association exists between trainer and jockey courtesy of Berry’s late sibling Nathan, who spent time riding in Singapore under Brown’s guidance, hence the call for this Doncaster Prelude (1500m) engagement from Mornington.
“I knew I was going to be riding in Melbourne on Golden Eagle Day, but I said to him, ‘I’m happy to do all of the horse’s gallops if you’d like, even though I’m not riding him’,” Berry said.
“He kept that in the back of his mind coming into this ‘prep’ and gave me a call well in advance. It was a ride I was happy to take early.”
Matching his Golden Eagle second to Autumn Glow, Sepals dominated the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in September and resumed competitively, fourth to Caballus in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Though allocated 59.5kg topweight for Saturday, Berry sees it as justified.
“He handles all conditions, and he is the class runner of the field, so the weight is probably deserved,” Berry said.
“I galloped him on Tuesday morning. He worked behind Pallaton, who is not only a very good horse in his own right, but a very good trackworker as well. They put in a nice, sharp piece on the course proper together so he’s in good order.
“I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t go close to winning.”
Further plans include a nomination to the Doncaster Mile (1600m) a fortnight hence and the All Aged Stakes (1400m) on April 18.
Berry prefers steering towards Doncaster at 54.5kg.
“I know there’s the option for him to go to an All Aged. I’m hoping to convince Cliff maybe a Doncaster because I could ride him there. But we’ll see how he goes on the weekend first,” he said.
Victorian challengers have thrived in Sydney’s elite fixtures recently, claiming successes like Guest House in the Golden Slipper (1200m) and Sheza Alibi in the Randwick Guineas (1600m).
Discover competitive betting markets for the race ahead of Sepals’ Doncaster Prelude appearance.
