Tommy Berry is counting on wet track favours as he chases another Saturday feature win with genuine chances across the three black-type races at Rosehill.
Berry was thrilled last Saturday at Kembla Grange after taking the Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts to a frontrunning victory in the $1 million The Gong on a lightning fast track, 18 days after the pair claimed the $2 million Big Dance at Randwick.
Tommy Berry riding Gringotts to victory in The Gong during at Kembla Grange last week.Credit: Getty Images
Track records tumbled last week amid warm weather and wind. But predicted rain at the end of this week – and especially on race day – should lead to far different conditions at Rosehill, which hosts the group 3 Festival Stakes and the listed Starlight Stakes and ATC Cup.
Berry has picked up the gun ride on Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Townsend in the ATC Cup (2000m).
Rachel King, who is suspended this weekend, and the four-year-old Dundeel gelding opened up a huge lead before cruising to a 3.4-length win over 1850m at Newcastle two weeks ago when second-up. The performance has Townsend as a $3.60 favourite with Sportsbet from gate eight on Saturday.
Berry was pleased to take the reins on Townsend, which has a win and a place in two starts on heavy going.
“It was really strong through the line last start, so it looks very hard to beat again, down in the weights,” Berry said. “It looks like it wants to do its own thing, so I’m not going to change it too much.
“Rachel did a great job getting it home last start, and it’s one of Gai’s and Adrian’s that likes to roll up on speed, so I don’t think much will change.”
Berry will also have a first ride on Jedibeel ($5.50), which was on the second line of betting for the Starlight (1100m). The Brad Widdup-trained five-year-old Savabeel gelding won the July Sprint then returned with a close second last start to Dragonstone over 1100m.