TAB Market Update Golden Gift1:11
Golden Gift TAB Market Update
Tommy Berry hopes to keep his wife happy with win on Firsthand at Rosehill
“DON’T bother coming home if you lose”.
With a warning like that you could forgive Tommy Berry for labelling his wife Sharnee’s horse, Firsthand, as his best ride at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
But the jockey saved this title for stablemate Interstellar instead. That’s not to say Berry doesn’t think Firsthand can’t get the job done as well when the promising gelding lines up in race nine.
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“I was surprised I got back on him and they were all talking about Christian Reith after he won on it last start,” Berry said. “We joke about it at home and (Sharnee) says don’t bother coming home if you lose, but lucky I own the place so it’s all right.”
All jokes aside, Berry is hoping he can deliver his wife, who has a 10 per cent share in Firsthand, some timely spending money as they prepare to welcome their second child into the world next Friday.
“We just bought a pony, a donkey and two dogs, so I think we are pretty right for the time being,” Berry said. “I know one thing (the winnings) don’t go towards me but it would be good for her to have a bit of spending money.
“Sharnee has given up a lot for me and the family so it’s great for her to have a bit more of an interest back in it. This is her first horse (owned) and he is an improving type.
“The Hawkes are taking their time with him because he has been a slow maturer and I still think the best is ahead of him. It was good to see him take a sit the other day and hit the line strong late, but if I don’t win on him I guess I will get the flick again and they are tough owners these ones.”
If Firsthand can’t salute, Berry is upbeat Interstellar (race eight) can give him some joy at Rosehill. The four-year-old hasn’t been seen since saluting at her Australian debut at Rosehill on July 30.
“I think if she keeps improving the way she is, she can reach stakes level,” Berry said. “She is a typical New Zealand mare and when they come over they take a bit of time (to settle in) and she was the same.
“She was a bit backward, so for her to win her first start in Australia she did a great job. She has really filled out this prep and has matured into a lovely horse. I think whatever you see on Saturday she will improve on when she gets over further as well.”
Berry has seven rides at Rosehill.
Bott sees few faults in Serena
THE Gai Waterhouse stable has described Serena Bay as “well above average” and insists the promising filly can take her provincial form to the city at Rosehill on Saturday.
The daughter of Sebring opened her racing career on the best possible note when leading from go to whoa to win a 900m Kembla Grange maiden by 1¼ lengths on November 12.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott said Serena Bay had only thrived since as she prepares to face her acid test in the $150,000 Goldners Horse Transport Golden Gift (1100m).
“We are delighted with Serena Bay,” Bott said. “She won impressively on debut and she came through that race in great order. We feel she is well above average and she proved that on debut. She did it all very naturally and with improvement. I think she will be a very nice filly for us.”
Serena Bay ($2.90), who clocked the second-quickest last 600m of the day at Kembla (33.16sec), was fighting for favouritism with Godolphin debutant Florid ($2.80), who finished an eye-catching second in a Randwick trial.
Reflectivity is one of six horses at $11 or under and jockey Tommy Berry expects the Team Hawkes colt to be competitive.
“He is a lovely horse and when you look at him in the yard you will probably say he is still six months away which, to be fair, he probably is,” Berry said. “But he is forward enough and going well enough to run well on Saturday.
“Barrier nine is a bit of a hindrance and any two-year-old that draws wide at their first start it can be a bit tough for them. But I’m sure he will be hitting the line strongly.”
TAB Market Update Golden Gift1:11
Golden Gift TAB Market Update
High stakes if Midnight runs
A TILT at next month’s Group 2 Villiers Stakes awaits High Midnight if the five-year-old can aim up this summer.
High Midnight kicks off his latest preparation in tomorrow’s #Theraces Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill and trainer James Cummings said all options were on the table for the High Chaparral gelding.
“He is in at the right time to be able to compete in a Villiers if he is good enough, or a Bernborough in Queensland,” Cummings said. “But there are $100,000 races on every week (in Sydney) so we will just see how he goes.”
High Midnight is already a four-time Sydney winner and has earnt his connections $285,000 from just 16 starts. He tuned up for his return with a recent trial win at Randwick on November 15 and won first-up last preparation over 1350m.
“I’ve been happy with his two trials and he has performed well fresh in the past,” Cummings said. “He is now racing stronger opposition all the same and I’ll be interested to see if he has made any improvement from last prep. I think he is going well but we will be able to gauge his improvement purely in race performance.
“If he is going to measure up to stronger races he will have to be competitive in races like this.”
High Midnight ($9.50) was one of eight horses under double-figure odds for the race with TAB Fixed Odds late yesterday.
In-form Godolphin galloper Moher ($3.20) is the firm favourite as he shoots for a winning hat-trick. Snoopy ($4.60), Onerous ($7), Rock Forthe Ladies ($8), Ryker ($8) and Gold Ambition ($8.50) are the other horses under double figures.