Top jockey Tommy Berry volunteered to cover the $44,000 late nomination cost to get Storm Leopard into the ATC Australian Derby following a powerful performance over the staying trip in the Group 2 $300,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
“I’ll offer to pay the late entry if they want,” Berry said.
“He’s so clean winded, he’s a real stayer. The team has done a great job with him, bringing him here in such great order.
“I only got on for the first time today so thanks to the Hayes boys for the opportunity and looking forward to hopefully riding him in the Derby.”
Ben Hayes, the trainer, disclosed that Storm Leopard had been among the initial nominations for the Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick next Saturday, though they had opted out of the initial acceptance fee during the gelding’s current campaign.
“We took him out of the ‘noms’ and were looking at the South Australian Derby but we changed plans (again) because he started to go so well,” Hayes said.”It will be a discussion we need about next week but if he pulls up well, it’s definitely something that will be considered. It is a good problem to have.”
Storm Leopard, sent out at $4.20, capitalised on the brisk pace before taking charge midway along the straight and drawing away to score by close to two lengths.
Eureka Rebel ($81) also delivered a solid Derby workout, finishing strongly into second as early pacemaker Shangri La Boy ($5) clung to third spot.
The contest was overshadowed by the heartbreaking failure of favourite Arcora ($2.40), who sustained a serious injury to his near-foreleg during the running.
Racing NSW stewards spoke with Arcora’s rider Nash Rawiller and handlers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young prior to confirming the colt had to be euthanised.
Rawiller, displaying fine judgment to pull Arcora up safely, noted the colt’s stride “felt amazing”.
“He got into a lovely rhythm during the race – this came out of nowhere,” Rawiller said.
Busuttin informed stewards that Arcora had prepared impeccably ahead of the Tulloch Stakes and was the “soundest horse you could ever find”.
Hayes offered a gracious remark to the media right after Storm Leopard’s success.
“I feel for the connections of Arcora,” was Hayes’s first comment. “You never want to see that happen.”
Berry mentioned his worry for Rawiller and Arcora once the colt’s issue became clear.
“My mind was on Nash (Rawiller – on retired runner Arcora) to make sure he was alright,” Berry said.”But then you’ve got to make sure you focus up again.”
Berry noted Storm Leopard prevailed with a “lot of authority” despite wandering in the closing stages.
“Storm Leopard got to the leader very quickly and was left in front a long way from home,” Berry said.
“I would’ve loved to have something challenge him halfway down the straight because he felt like he was floating where he was.
“I had enough looks to make it as soft as I could late just in case he had to back up. He’s trained by a bunch of gentlemen that send their horses to Sydney in such great order so if they decided to go that way it wouldn’t be an issue.”
Storm Leopard now has an opportunity to join the select group as the 10th horse to achieve the Tulloch Stakes-ATC Australian Derby double, following Quick Thinker (2020), Angel Of Truth (2019), Levendi (2018), Jon Snow (2017), Starcraft (2004), Ivory’s Irish (1995), Mahogany (1994), Durbridge (1991) and Prolific (1984).
Prior to the Tulloch Stakes, TAB Fixed Odds had omitted Storm Leopard from Derby markets due to the lack of nomination, but installed him at $4.50, second to co-favourites Observer and Green Spaces at $3.50.
Matthew Smith, the trainer, expressed satisfaction with the efforts of second-placed Eureka Rebel and fifth Dezignation in their Derby auditions. “Both horses are strong, young stayers and as long as they pull up well, I would like them to back up in the Derby,” Smith said.
Kerrin McEvoy, aboard Eureka Rebel, indicated the gelding would handle the Derby trip without issue next Saturday.
“He ran really well,” McEvoy said. “I didn’t jump like we thought but he got a nice trip around and he goes to Randwick to enjoy the 2400m,” McEvoy said.
Adam Hyeronimus, steering Shangri La Boy to third, felt the horse improved but was not at peak.
“That is not the best version of him,” Hyeronimus said. “The best version of him is jump and relax in front then show his sharp turn of foot.”
Explore the latest Australian betting sites for top racing odds ahead of the ATC Australian Derby.