Despite being a support race on The Everest program, Apocalyptic’s return to winning ways was a moment of significant satisfaction for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.
The mare, who claimed the Group 1 Flight Stakes last year, had shown diminished form during the autumn and in her first two starts of the spring. However, her training at home consistently indicated she was an elite performer.
Freedman and Berry never lost faith in the mare, although they admitted it had been a trying period as they worked to restore her peak race day condition. This dedication paid off in Saturday’s $1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick.
“It’s really, really satisfying because she has been going so well at home and just not executing on race day. I know how good she is when she’s right,” Freedman said.
“We had to tinker around with a bit of gear for today with putting visors on and a lugging bit and it was great to see her back doing what I know she is capable of.”
Settled midfield by Berry at odds of $26, Apocalyptic, a four-year-old, sustained a strong run along the outside to narrowly defeat the gallant Skyhook ($3.20) by a long neck. The early leader, Beiwacht ($2.40 favourite), fought on determinedly to finish another neck behind in third.
The Silver Eagle is a traditional lead-up to the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) run in two weeks, and Freedman indicated it remains a possibility.
“As long as she pulls up okay, I can’t see any reason why we wouldn’t have a crack at a race like that because she is one of the better horses I’ve ever had anything to do with,” he stated.
Berry, however, expressed some reservations regarding the mare’s suitability for the longer distance.
“My only query with her is she’d had enough just on the line,” Berry commented.
“There’s still an option to go to a Golden Eagle, and I know she ran that trip as a three-year-old, but I’m just not sure that’s her at the moment with where she’s at. I’ll leave it up to the team.”
Like Freedman, Berry was delighted with the outcome on Saturday, recognizing the considerable effort that went into preparing the mare.
“She has tested our patience, but it was nice to get that win today,” he remarked.
“That roar over the line, I know it wasn’t a Group One, but it was more the feeling it was great for the whole team.
“I’ve been riding twenty years, and not many can do what she does at home on the track.”
Apocalyptic’s victory secured Berry a stakes double for the day, having earlier won the Group 3 St Leger Stakes (2600m) with So You Are.
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