Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tommy Berry can’t wait to talk to trainer James Cummings and the Godolphin camp about well related colt Tarpaulin ahead of his debut in the Drinkwise Plate (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Tommy Berry (Pic: Steve Hart)

An eye-catching finish by the youngster in his only official trial at Rosehill earlier this week captured Berry’s imagination.

While it’s a quick turnaround for the two-year-old’s first start, and he has a formidable rival in Breeders’ Plate runner-up Straight Charge, Berry is confident the half-brother to Aft Cabin has something to give.

“One thing about James and his team is they don’t have a lack of information when they are giving you instructions and telling you about the horse,’’ Berry said.

“I’m sure by race time I’ll have a good understanding about the horse without having ridden him.

“Straight Charge was very impressive on debut and has trialled well since, he looks obviously the horse to beat in the race.”

Tarpaulin, $9.50 with TAB on Thursday, settled last in his 900m trial and was held up early in the straight before hooking to the outside and rushing home to run Dark Arts to just over half a length.

It was the ease of the colt’s finish that impressed Berry and he hopes he can show the same dash under race conditions given from barrier one he’ll likely not be conceding so much start.

“I know they only ran slow time it was just the way he did it,’’ he said.

“To be that far off them coming to the corner and finish that well.

“It’s easy for a two-year-old to have speed. But for a horse to get back in a trial and hit the line the way he did, with what looked like plenty in hand, that’s something you definitely look for.”

Berry is hoping Randwick remains in the soft range as he feels Waihaha Falls is very close to a win in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m).

It’s over 530 days since the gelding’s last win but he signalled he’s on target with his closing third behind Recommendation in the Listed Razor Sharp (1200m) two weeks ago.

So long as the pattern allows horses to run on, Berry says a wide gate shouldn’t be a hindrance to the John O’Shea-trained galloper.

“I didn’t get out until late and he’s the sort of horse that takes a bit of winding up. The winner had all the favours last start but hopefully that’s us on Saturday,’’ he said.

“Drawing wide isn’t an issue, he gets back anyway but it will give us the opportunity to get to the outside and let down with that turn of foot.

“I was very taken by his second-up run and he ticks a massive box on wet ground, that’s where he really excels.”

Tarpaulin runs second in a Rosehill trial on December 18

Tommy Berry on First Light (race 2): “You’d have to wait to see him go around again, he’s been a tough horse to work out. Everything fell into place with him last start and he enjoyed having horses in front of him to chase. He’s got to do that again but he’s fit and well into his preparation now.”

On Afterlight (race 6): “She’s in really good form and they’ve found the key to her, and that’s getting her to step well out of the barriers. If she steps well, and shows that natural speed, she will be hard to beat. She’s always been a horse that looked up to Saturday grade and she’ll get the chance to prove that.”

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