Jockey Tommy Berry has wasted no time in making his presence felt in WA, taking out the Listed Aquanita Stakes (1800m)
Jockey Tommy Berry has wasted no time in making his presence felt in WA, taking out the Listed Aquanita Stakes on outsider Palace Intruder at Ascot this afternoon.
Berry pulled the gelding out three wide as the field approached the 600 metre mark, and commenced a long sustained sprint to hold off Say Geronimo, while Keysbrook stormed home to finish third.
It marked a significant turnaround in form for Palace Intruder, after he finished ninth in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes two weeks ago.
After the race, Berry said he was confident the gelding could turn his form around, despite the last start failure.
“He’s always shown, in his earlier form, that he is quite a smart horse,” Berry said.
“He went amiss this campaign so far, but Trevor has seen an upside with him which is getting him over a trip.
“I was a bit critical of that before the race, obviously not knowing the horse, but it shows you what a great trainer he is.”
Berry said Palace Intruder was capable of performing well in the WA Derby next autumn.
“I think so, I think staying ranks in Perth probably aren’t quite as strong as they are in their sprinting ranks, so I think he can measure up in those races,” he said.
Trainer Trevor Andrews said the galloper would have a break now before heading to the WA Derby in April.
Tim Walker