Leading rider Tommy Berry feels that a summer excursion to Queensland has transformed the once-troublesome Ninja, and he’s confident the gelding can compete with the elite three-year-olds at Rosehill.
The gelding notched three outings during his northern adventure, securing the Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm prior to a challenging effort from the wide gate when runner-up in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) on the Gold Coast.
Berry noted the Michael Freedman-prepared runner has shown greater concentration since returning to Sydney, positioning him to elevate his game.
“He was quite a handful as a younger horse, which is why Michael (Freedman) took his time with him,” Berry said.
“He didn’t have the attitude of a good horse, but the trip to Queensland has done him the absolute world of good, like it can with horses.
“He has come back, and his attitude is completely different. He’s a lot more relaxed and he’s in a really good frame of mind.”
Ninja faces eight opponents in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), with four resuming first-up.
Benefiting from a favourable barrier and the edge of recent form, Berry anticipates his mount can seize the opportunity.
“Even though it’s a quality field with horses like Attica and Autumn Boy, they’re probably going to get back with the barriers they’ve drawn and be better suited when they get to the mile and further,” Berry said.
“He’s at a distance he’s proven to be good at in the past and if he can’t perform against them on Saturday, then he’s going to struggle to go to the Randwick Guineas against them.
“It’s a good test for him but one that we think he’s well and truly up to.”
Shangri La Boy is among those returning, and co-trainer Adrian Bott tempers his outlook.
The colt impressed in his debut preparation, prevailing in two of four appearances and finishing ahead of all except Attica in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), though targeting the ATC Australian Derby (2400m), Shangri La Boy should sharpen with added distance.
“I do think he’s meeting a couple who have a fitness advantage on him and have kicked off their campaigns already. Naturally, they will probably be a bit sharper over the 1400 metres,” Bott said.
“He will try to go through that path of the Guineas races and potentially onto a Derby. With that, there’s good improvement to come.”
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