If Tommy Berry manages to claim victory in the $1 million The Archer for the first time, he will owe thanks to fellow jockey James McDonald.
Berry has secured the ride on Yellow Brick, trained by Tony and Maddysen Sears, for Sunday’s highlight at Rockhampton after McDonald was first given the opportunity but turned it down because of a scheduled family vacation.
McDonald has partnered Yellow Brick on two occasions, securing victories both times, including the gelding’s latest success at the Gold Coast back in January, and he strongly encouraged Berry to head north to Queensland to take the mount.
“They asked James McDonald, and he was away on holidays, so he asked if I’d be interested,” Berry said.
“He gave him a pretty good wrap and said the horse gets in well at the weights with 56-1/2 kilos.
“I know Maddy and her father, but I haven’t ridden for them before, I don’t believe. So it was through James I got the ride there and decided to go up.”
Berry boasts nine previous mounts at Rockhampton with two triumphs and an equal number of placings, though Yellow Brick represents his debut in The Archer (1300m).
He had been slated to ride Better Get Set a few years back, but that horse was withdrawn on the day of the race.
“I also rode there on Newmarket day four or five years ago and I think I rode a couple of winners out of five rides. That was the first time I ever went there,” Berry said.
“Yellow Brick is definitely ready to go. His last trial was sharp and in good time, so the team has him primed for the race.
“They’re very confident and James gave it a very good push. He really liked him.”
Berry’s journey to Rockhampton will conclude a hectic stretch over the past few days, as he competes at the two-day Wagga Carnival on Thursday and Friday, followed by the standalone meeting at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
In the weeks ahead, the leading jockey intends to accumulate more air miles by racing predominantly in Brisbane throughout their winter series.
“This week is hard because we’ve got Wagga on the Thursday and Friday, but I do enjoy going to different places and supporting the clubs,” Berry said.
“I’m going to be up in Brisbane for pretty much the whole carnival now, so the travel is something you’ve got to get used to.”
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