Favour extended last spring could bring rewards this autumn with Tommy Berry aboard Cliff Brown runner Sepals in Rosehill’s Doncaster Prelude.
Sepals’ sole Sydney run resulted in second to Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle (1500m) last November 1, ridden by Ethan Brown.
Berry, committed to Flemington’s Derby Day that afternoon, nonetheless aided Cliff Brown by galloping Sepals in preparation for the Golden Eagle.
Their bond traces to Berry’s brother Nathan, who jockeyed in Singapore during Brown’s time training there, influencing the choice of Berry for the upcoming Doncaster Prelude (1500m) from Mornington.
“I knew I was going to be riding in Melbourne on Golden Eagle Day, but I said to him, ‘I’m happy to do all of the horse’s gallops if you’d like, even though I’m not riding him’,” Berry said.
“He kept that in the back of his mind coming into this ‘prep’ and gave me a call well in advance. It was a ride I was happy to take early.”
Sepals also claimed victory in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) during September, following up first-up with a solid fourth to Caballus in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) behind Autumn Glow’s Golden Eagle effort.
At 59.5kg topweight Saturday, Berry remains unconcerned.
“He handles all conditions, and he is the class runner of the field, so the weight is probably deserved,” Berry said.
“I galloped him on Tuesday morning. He worked behind Pallaton, who is not only a very good horse in his own right, but a very good trackworker as well. They put in a nice, sharp piece on the course proper together so he’s in good order.
“I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t go close to winning.”
He has an entry for the Doncaster Mile (1600m) in two weeks, plus the All Aged Stakes (1400m) come April 18.
Noting the 54.5kg in Doncaster, Berry leans that way.
“I know there’s the option for him to go to an All Aged. I’m hoping to convince Cliff maybe a Doncaster because I could ride him there. But we’ll see how he goes on the weekend first,” he said.
Sydney’s major races have fallen to Victorian invaders of late, with Guest House in the Golden Slipper (1200m) and Sheza Alibi securing the Randwick Guineas (1600m).
Visit Australian betting sites to find racing odds for the Doncaster Prelude featuring Sepals.