Leading Sydney jockey Tommy Berry has admitted that he will need plenty of luck in the 2014 Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on Saturday at the Gold Coast, after Echo Gal drew gate 17 at the barrier draw yesterday.
Tommy Berry is chasing his third win in the Magic Millions Classic with Echo Gal at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Taron Clarke
Berry is chasing his third win in the Magic Millions Classic in four years, following his wins with Karuta Queen (2011) and Driefontein (2012), and believes that Echo Gal goes into the race with every chance despite the poor barrier draw.
“I am going to need all the luck to go with me but she has been working very well at home,” Berry told RSN this morning.
“I don’t think it will change our plans too much.”
Echo Gal was well backed in Magic Millions betting markets following her impressive four lengths victory in the TAB Rewards Maiden Plate (1000m) at Warwick Farm on debut in December but faded badly, after setting a quick early tempo, in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Plate (1200m) at Doomben on December 28.
Berry said that he hopes to ride the Stratum filly, who was found to be suffering from thumps after the defeat, a bit quieter in the Magic Millions Classic and believes the outside draw could actually be beneficial for her chances in the $2 million event.
“Obviously, she went quiet far forward the other day and pulled quiet hard and fell in a heap late, so we will probably take more of a different approach,” Berry said.
“We will still have her up there but maybe just in front of midfield.
“She has the blinkers off now, so she should relax quiet well.
“If she can get three wide with a bit of trouble, it is probably not a bad thing.
“She is out of all the archy bargy than.”
Punters don’t share the confidence of Berry and Echo Gal has been one of the biggest drifters in 2014 Magic Millions Classic betting markets.
Echo Gal is now out to Magic Millions odds of $21 after being available at odds of $18 before the barrier draw and at a quote as short as $5 before her flop in the BJ McLachlan Plate.
A victory for Echo Gal would cap off an eventful week for both trainer Gai Waterhouse and Star Thoroughbreds, who own the filly, following owner Denise Martin’s decision to send all yearlings purchased this year and beyond to Chris Waller, which ended her exclusive agreement with Waterhouse.
