Tommy Berry won’t be changing the racing pattern of Carlton House who will be given the task of setting the pace in the Group 1 $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Carlton House, black cap, inside, is nosed out by Silent Achiever in the G1 Ranvet Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
The prospect of another wet track this week won’t deter Berry from taking Carlton House to the front even though only one leader won on a rain sodden Randwick track last Saturday.
The brilliant Lankan Rupee lead from barrier to box in winning the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) but Berry said if you are good enough on the day your can win from anywhere.
“Lankan Rupee led and smashed them. If you’re on the right horse they’ll win from anywhere,” Berry told Racenet.
“I’m not worried about leading this Saturday.”
“The good horses that led ran well and I’m expecting Carlton House to be very hard to beat this Saturday.”
“I’ve been saying all preparation how good he is going.”
At his second run in this time the Gai Waterhouse trained import set the pace when second to Opinion in the Listed $125,000 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on March 1 with Nash Rawiller on board.
Then with Kerrin McEvoy in control, Carlton House led all but the last twenty metres when second to Silent Achiever in the Group 1 $500,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 22.
Berry rode Carlton House at his first run back this campaign when ninth over an unsuitable distance in the Group 2 $200,000 SCSI Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 8 but missed the ride in the Ranvet Stakes when he had to rush to Singapore to be with his critically ill twin brother Nathan who subsequently died from NORSE Syndrome.
“I was in Singapore with Nathan when Carlton House was just beaten last start, and I texted Gai straight away to make sure I could ride him next start, and she said, ‘yeah, for sure’,” Berry told The Daily Telegraph.
Berry will head back to Hong Kong for another three month riding stint at the conclusion of the Sydney Autumn Carnival and he would be thrilled to win the highlight of “The Championships’ on Carlton House who is owned by Her Majesty The Queen.
“Nathan’s passing has been tragic for me, and it’s something I might not get over. But I’m focused on The Championships before I leave for Hong Kong.’’
“I’ve ridden for some big owners all over the world, but to ride for the Queen is a privilege.
“I’ve never met the Queen, but if Carlton House wins, maybe I’ll have the pleasure of doing so.”
Carlton House has been installed the $3.70 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and wrapped up his preparation for the weight for age feature with 1200m workout on a soggy Kensington track this morning, clocking 1.20.8 and ran home the final 600m in 37.6 seconds and 13 seconds for the last 200m.
The English import will clash again with Silent Achiever who is the second fancy at $4.60 ahead of It’s A Dundeel at $5.
Trainer Chris Waller supplies the next four in the betting with Royal Descent ($7), Sacred Falls ($8), Hawkspur ($11) and Boban ($13).
