Should Tommy Berry secure his maiden $1 million The Archer victory, gratitude would go to jockey peer James McDonald.

For the Sunday Rockhampton main event, Berry steps in on the Tony and Maddysen Sears-prepared Yellow Brick, as McDonald passed on the initial offer for a family holiday already arranged.

McDonald piloted Yellow Brick successfully twice, with wins including the gelding’s most recent at the Gold Coast in January, and he enthusiastically recommended Berry make the North Queensland journey.

“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.”

Bearing nine rides at Rockhampton with two wins and two placings to his name, Berry enters The Archer (1300m) for the first time via Yellow Brick.

He lined up for Better Get Set some years prior, only for that contender to be scratched on race day.

“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.”

Arriving in Rockhampton wraps up an intense few days for Berry, featuring the Wagga Carnival Thursday-Friday and Hawkesbury’s Saturday standalone.

He’ll keep flying high with Brisbane commitments dominating the winter carnival schedule.

“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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