Star jockey Tommy Berry believes Soaring Ambition and Jamaea give him a real opportunity to win the Magic Millions double.
Star jockey Tommy Berry remains optimistic about his chances of securing the Magic Millions double next week despite the wet track bringing an end to Soaring Ambition’s unbeaten record and forcing the withdrawal of Jamaea at Doomben last Saturday.
Soaring Ambition, Berry’s mount in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO, Classic at the Gold Coast on January 15, was upset by Golden Artie in a Doomben juvenile handicap.
Berry admitted he was concerned when the rain forced a Doomben downgrade to a soft 7 just prior to Soaring Ambition’s race.
“I rode Soaring Ambition on a soft track in a trial and she didn’t like it at all,” Berry said.
“But if we are going to get a wet track on Magic Millions Day, we needed to have a look at her in those conditions.
“She acquitted herself well considering she didn’t enjoy the ground and was still only beaten a short margin.
“If we get those conditions on the day, at least we know she can get through it but I will be a lot more confident on a dry track.”
After Soaring Ambition’s defeat, she did ease from $9 to $11 third favouritism for the Magic Millions next week behind boom filly Coolangatta at $1.70.
But Berry isn’t about to concede the Magic Millions to Coolangatta just yet.
“Coolangatta is obviously going to be the horse to beat but there is still two weeks to the race and anything can happen, she still has to draw well and have a bit of luck in running,” Berry said.
“I know the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable will have Coolangatta at her best for the Magic Millions but my filly, Soaring Ambition, does have a lot of ability and if we get a dry track, then I’m sure she will run well.”
Trainers Robert and Luke Price decided to scratch Jamaea from the Nudgee Stakes at the Doomben meeting as the race was the final event on the program and the track conditions had deteriorated to a heavy 10.
Berry, who rides at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, said Jamaea is the type of horse who likes her races spaced and a tough run first-up on a bottomless track could have impacted her preparation for next week’s $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m).
Instead, Jamaea will have a barrier trial at the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning which will finetune her program for the Guineas.
Berry won’t be required to ride Jamaea in the barrier trial but confirmed plans to compete at Rosehill this weekend where he has five rides for the all-powerful Chris Waller stable.
Waller, who had a rare winless Saturday across all venues last weekend, has a massive 38 nominations for his home track meeting including eight of the 19 entries in the Listed $150,000 January Cup (2000m) – Criminal Cod, Mubariz, Lord Ardmore, Order Again, So Wicked, So You Win, The Lord Mayor and Welsh Legend.
Trainer Bjorn Baker has entered last start Summer Cup winner Parry Sound for the January Cup but said on Monday the stayer is likely to be reserved for the $1 million Magic Millions Subzero (2400m) next week.
Sydney’s emerging summer staying find Pecuniary Interest could be given his chance at stakes level in the January Cup after successive Midway wins to start his campaign.
Pecuniary Interest’s trainer John Sargent said he will study the handicaps and likely opposition but is leaning to giving his promising five-year-old his opportunity in Saturday’s feature race.
Originally published as Soaring Ambition’s defeat hasn’t dampened Tommy Berry’s confidence about the Magic Millions