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By Ray Hickson

Tommy Berry has no problem playing the villain when it comes to winning Group 1 races and he’s out to upset the applecart again when he partners Ole Kirk at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jockey Tommy Berry (Pic: Bradley Photos).

A week ago Berry claimed his 29th major when guiding $9.50 chance Kolding to victory in the George Main Stakes, to kick off the Everest Carnival, and believes he’s on the forgotten horse of the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m).

Ole Kirk was the one chasing Rothfire home in the Run To The Rose (1200m) two weeks ago – running the meeting’s fastest last 600m (32.84, Punter’s Intelligence) - and Berry said he’s a live chance of turning the tables.

“He seems to be the underdog and has been the whole way through, he couldn’t have done any more than he did the other day but still he’s the one barely being spoken about,’’ Berry said.

“But that’s fine, I’m quite happy with that, to fly under the radar with him. He’s a horse that is going really well, is going to peak on the day, and is going to be a top chance.

“A couple in the race have been ready for races beforehand but this has been his grand final the whole way along and he’s ready for it.”

Ole Kirk, whose dam Naturale is a full sister to Black Caviar, is on the fourth line of TAB betting at $8.50 for the race that kicked off Berry's Group 1 tally when he rode Epaulette to win the 2012 edition.

Contrary to a few opinions on the Golden Rose, Berry is adamant the spring three-year-old Group 1 is going to be another brutal contest.

Perhaps not quite as brutal as the Run To The Rose, where the track record got a bit nervous in the closing stages, but enough to play to Ole Kirk’s strengths though he still rates Rothfire as the horse to beat.

The colt is proven at 1400m with a placing in the VRC Sires’, a fourth in the ATC Sires’ and third in the Champagne Stakes earlier this year.

“Yardstick is a horse that can roll along, he doesn’t like to go too steady, he might go quicker than everyone thinks but I definitely can’t see them going slow,’’ he said.

“It’s not going to affect my bloke either way, he’s going to find a spot wherever he lands and I reckon he will be the strongest late.

“He has to have a clear run from the top of the straight, it gives him a chance to work into it and catch Rothfire late.

“If he gets held up at any stage it could be to his disadvantage but he’s found a race here where he’s going to get his opportunity to win and if he’s good enough he will.”

Away from the Golden Rose, Berry is looking forward to partnering Lion’s Roar in the Group 3 $200,000 Precise Air Gloaming Stakes (1800m).

With his only defeat coming at the hands of Mo’unga, Berry said after riding the three-year-old in work on Thursday morning he’s a no nonsense type with a lot of potential.

Lion’s Roar, second favourite at $6.50, was a winner at Kembla Grange over 1600m two weeks ago while the favourite Love Tap has won all three starts in the country.

“He’s drawn a bit tricky so I’m not sure where we are going to get from the alley, probably just jump out and see what unfolds,’’ Berry said.

“He has good form lines and got that win to keep his confidence up the other day. I feel like I’m on a rising talent and I think we’ll see that on Saturday.”

Ole Kirk runs second in the Run To The Rose on September 12

There’d be few horses engaged at Rosehill that can run the sectionals Subpoenaed does consistently and Berry is adamant we can see a different side to the mare now she’s drawn a favourable barrier.

Subpoenaed clocked the fastest last 600m of the Sheraco Stakes (1200m), running 33.21 from last into sixth behind Haut Brion Her, two weeks ago and is right in her comfort zone in the Group 2 $400,000 Kia Golden Pendant (1400m).

“She rarely has anything go her way due to bad barriers most of the time,’’ he said.

“She had the flashing light on the other day and from a good gate she could settle a lot closer, 1400m I feel is her best distance.

“She meets a strong field and her stablemate, if it does go around, Haut Brion Her will be hard to beat again.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting