Tommy Berry believes that the expected quick tempo in the 2014 Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday will play into the hands of his mount Northern Glory.
Tommy Berry rates Northern Glory a winning chance in the 2014 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Northern Glory has been overshadowed in the lead-up to the race by stablemate Sweet Idea but has been well supported in Magic Millions Guineas betting markets and is currently available at a quote of $9.
Leading Magic Millions Guineas contenders Sweet Idea, Charlie Boy and Missy Longstocking have all drawn towards the outside of the field and could become locked in an early speed battle, which Berry is confident will enhance the winning chances of Northern Glory who worked home strongly in the final stages of the Become An ATC Sponsor Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 21.
“Northern Glory is going very well and she ran a great race first-up at Rosehill,” Berry told RSN
“She probably got a bit too far out of her ground and sprinted home very well late.
“If they can get a little bit of rain there it will definitely suit her and there looks to be a good amount of pace in the race, especially with the favourite drawn out wide.
“My horse has enough pace to put herself just behind the speed and if she shows the same turn-of-foot that she showed first-up she will be hard to beat.”
Northern Glory made her racing debut with an impressive victory in the Dasher Handicap (1000m) at Kembla Grange in December last year but did not push on to the Magic Millions Classic after finishing fourth in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m).
The daughter of Northern Meteor returned to the races as a three-year-old with a third place finish in the Listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m) and took out the Mounties Group Plate (1200m) and Become An ATC Sponsor Plate (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
She finished a credible third behind Watabout at Royal Randwick on July 27 but failed to fire when stepped up to Listed level in The Rosebud (1200m) and was sent to the spelling paddock.
Berry, who will also partner Echo Gal in the Magic Millions Classic, is chasing his maiden win in the Magic Millions Guineas after finishing tenth with The Last General (2010), sixth with Playtime (2011) and third with Driefontein (2012).
