A vital conversation on race morning with his manager proved instrumental for jockey Tommy Berry, shaping his successful approach to riding Travolta in the Sydney Gold Cup.

Berry had previously partnered Travolta on multiple occasions, noting the horse’s respectable efforts but lack of wins. This prompted a tactical adjustment for Saturday’s significant $750,000 event.

“I had a chat with ‘Joicey’ this morning about this bloke. I’ve ridden him a few times when I thought he was a good thing, got him to the outside, and he just doesn’t sustain a gallop,” Berry stated. “Today, I planned to ride him with a bit of cover and sneak through them and have that one last crack. He’s got a really good turn of foot. He’s been racing against some pretty decent cattle this prep. Master work by Chris (Waller) as usual. He gave him a bit of a freshen up, and he felt well today.”

Travolta ($15) was allowed to find his feet early, with Berry expertly navigating a passage through the field in the straight to secure a half-length victory. Barrengarry ($2.80 favourite) finished second, and Starzintheireyes ($5) was a further half-length back in third.

Zane Jones, speaking for the Waller stable, mentioned that the decision was made to keep Travolta at middle-distance assignments this preparation, a change from the longer trips tested in the autumn. The gelding had reportedly benefited from a recent spell.

“Chris has always had a good opinion of the horse. He lost his way a bit last prep when we tried him over a lot further, and he wasn’t quite finishing off his races,” Jones commented. “Today, we freshened him up, gave him a trial, rode him quieter and that way he was able to show his turn of foot and finish over the top.”

Travolta’s return to winning form has positioned him as a potential contender for races like the Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle, a possible target during the provincial carnivals.

The win contributed to a successful day for trainer Chris Waller, who also claimed Group 1 victories in Melbourne with Stormy Marco in the Victoria Derby (2500m) and Lady Shenandoah in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), along with two other stakes races on the undercard.

“They’re knocking up winning races in Melbourne, so we thought we’d join the party late in the day,” Jones quipped.

Berry and Waller are also slated to combine forces in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup with Soul Of Spain. The stayer had finished runner-up in the Sydney Cup (3200m) in April, and Berry rates him as a knockout chance, especially if he draws favourably.

“I just pray that he draws well so I can get him into a good rhythm,” Berry said. “He’s got 3200-metre form there, and he’s trained by Chris Waller, and isn’t he having a carnival so far. It would be a nice one to have on the mantlepiece.”

Fans looking to get involved can check the latest racing odds on offer at various Australian betting sites.