Some believe that quality can take a three-year-old far in a Derby, regardless of true staying power, whereas others insist endurance is the key factor in such classics.
Rider Tommy Berry feels the reality lies in between, with his ATC Australian Derby (2400m) ride Storm Leopard possessing the perfect combination of speed and stamina.
“They need to stay, but you talk about any stayer, whether in a Derby or a Melbourne Cup, they’ve got that bit of brilliance as well,” Berry said.
“The two other favourites in the race – Green Spaces looks to have the stamina, and Observer looks to have the brilliance – but have they got both?
“Hopefully, my bloke does, which we feel he does. If he can show his turn of foot at the end of 2400 metres, it’s going to take him a long way.”
Prepared in Victoria by Ben, Will and J D Hayes, Storm Leopard notched a commanding victory in his Sydney debut during the Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday.
It marked Berry’s initial time aboard the three-year-old, whom he considered performed admirably by powering home after having to pursue from afar when a competitor unfortunately collapsed near the 1000m mark, letting the frontrunner pull clear.
That finishing surge has boosted Berry’s belief that Storm Leopard can secure him another Sydney Derby success, a decade on from his initial triumph with Tavago.
“I thought I’d be vulnerable late, but he was so strong through the line, and I eased him down,” Berry said.
“That gave me a lot of confidence to say to the boys, if you want to back him up I thought he’d have no problem with the distance.
“The team was never going to run him here if he didn’t pull up well. They’re a great team of trainers, the Hayes boys, and if they’re backing him up he’s obviously in good order.”
At $5, Storm Leopard heads a batch of eight mounts for Berry at Randwick, with six at single-digit prices, among them the promising Profoundly ($5) in the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m).
Profoundly secured an impressive third from a tough gate in the Kembla Grange Classic (1600m), and Berry hopes for victory on Saturday to stake her claim for the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) the following week.
“She was four-wide, no cover at Kembla and was really strong through the line,” Berry said.
“This is her chance, a bit like Storm Leopard (last week), to win her way into an Oaks.
“She has drawn well where last time she didn’t . . . and she is a great chance in what looks to be a strong edition of the race.”
Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds on Storm Leopard in the ATC Australian Derby.
