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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Tommy Berry is a stern marker when it comes to his riding and he feels he owes lightly raced filly Killer Instinct a win at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

The three-year-old is one of a couple of Berry’s Hawkesbury rides that were beaten as short priced favourites at their last starts, the other being Taken Everything, and he’s eyeing some atonement.

Killer Instinct is the $2.20 favourite with TAB in the Lander Toyota Handicap (1800m) on the back of a closing third over a mile at Newcastle earlier this month.

“She ran really well, I got too far out of my ground on a track where it was hard to make up ground,’’ Berry, who bought up his 100th winner for the season this week, said.

“I think she was a victim of probably not a great ride by myself last time so hopefully I can give her every chance and she’ll be hard to beat.’’

After settling back and wide Killer Instinct made a sweeping run around the field and while she clocked the fastest last 600m of the race, 35 seconds (Punter's Intelligence), as Berry said she conceded too big a start.

Killer Instinct runs third at Newcastle on May 7

He’s hoping a step up in distance and a kind draw can see her be less one-dimensional and aid her in breaking through at start six.

“I’d say she could be closer by default, I couldn’t see her be worse than midfield,’’ he said.

“She’s drawn well and stepping up to 1800m is going to suit her well. You can come from behind most of the time at Hawkesbury and I think she will be very hard to beat.’’

As for Taken Everything, who went under as a $1.65 favourite at Hawkesbury two weeks ago, Berry isn’t offering any excuses despite the fact she sat wide and says she must be taken on trust.

That’s why he’s not bullish about the $3.10 elect in the Mitsubishi Apolic Handicap (1100m).

“Getting trapped wide at Hawkesbury over 1100m is no hindrance whatsoever. You’ve only got one corner and by the time you get to it you’re getting out to make your run anyway,’’ he said.

“She’s a free bowling filly who doesn’t like to be interrupted in the run. She had no excuses last start, it was a poor performance an we have no idea why.

“For us it’s D-Day for her, she has to step up.’’

At her only other start Taken Everything coasted to an easy maiden win at Wyong back in December and the Hawkes stable is throwing the winkers on her on Thursday.

“I couldn’t give any great push, she is going well at home but she was going well before her last run too,’’ he said.

“Hopefully the winkers switch her on and she performs up to what she has been showing at home.’’

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting