Transatlantic fell just short of surmounting a wide barrier during a key spring contest, and Tommy Berry is placing his trust in the gelding’s grit and staying ability to turn the tables from a similarly difficult alley in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap.
He began from the outermost post in the Five Diamonds (1800m), finishing a long head behind Vivy Air with Berry steering.
Even though the leading hoop concedes that contesting Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) from position 18 will be a step up in difficulty, he maintains the five-year-old has repeatedly shown he can deal with such demands.
“It’s a bit tougher this time around, there is always a lot of pressure in a Stradbroke,” Berry said.
“He’s a horse who can handle pressure though. He’s done that in the past, and he’s placed at 1800. His stamina isn’t going to be an issue.
“He’s just going to need a little bit of luck in that first half and if he gets it, he’ll be right in the finish.”
The galloper will be looking to secure a first Stradbroke victory for both Berry and top Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan, and he is tuned to the minute after two pleasing efforts since his break.
“The good thing is he’s from Queensland, so he hasn’t had to travel this preparation, he has been home the whole time. He enjoys a bit of give in the ground and he is trained by Tony Gollan. There’s a lot of ticks there,” Berry said.
Berry will pursue his second J J Atkins (1600m) crown with Berzelius for Michael Freedman, after first tasting success in the race with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Almalad in 2014.
Following a debut triumph at Doomben in April, the colt battled the tight turns on the Gold Coast in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m), before the addition of blinkers and a crossover noseband helped him triumph in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at his latest appearance.
Berry, who is the main rider for the Freedman operation, revealed the team had always seen Berzelius as a horse of promise and he delivered on that last start.
Assuming the colt can see out the mile in the Atkins, he believes the youngster will be there at the finish.
“He just started to feel the pinch that last little bit last start, so a bit more work has gone into him,” Berry said.
“To run the trip he needed a good barrier, which he’s got, and the Sires’ is always a very good form race leading into it.”
Berry nominated Gunsynd Classic (1600m) contender Within The Law as his standout mount after her eye-catching first-up third in the Fred Best Classic (1400m) when she rallied from near the rear on the bend.
“It’s the tale to her career because she’s a backmarker and she has got to make her own luck,” he said.
“She’s drawn well and up in distance, hopefully she can hold a closer position in the run and she’ll be right in the finish.”
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