Tommy Berry talks up his chances aboard Buckaroo, Mumbai Muse and Strait Acer on Apollo Stakes day at Randwick

Star hoop Tommy Berry is plotting to upstage a few favourites in the three feature races at Randwick on Saturday.

Buckaroo boasts the necessary class, Mumbai Muse has the right attitude, and Strait Acer is the most improved horse in Sydney racing.

This was how champion jockey Tommy Berry summed up his big-race rides at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Berry is particularly looking forward to riding former Irish galloper Buckaroo in the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m).

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Buckaroo, among four leading chances for Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller in the weight-for-age sprint, showed promise in two Group 1 Australian starts last spring and has impressed Berry in successive Warwick Farm barrier trials in recent week.

“I think Buckaroo’s a really nice horse,’’ Berry said.

“He has given me a great feel in his two trials.

“He was still very sharp in his (exhibition) gallop the other day with Militarize (between races at Randwick last Saturday).

“Buckaroo needs the sting out of the ground and if he gets that on Saturday he is not out of it, he’s a great chance.’’

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TAB price assessors have Buckaroo at $7 behind stablemate Fangirl, the $2.30 favourite.

Waller, who is aiming for his sixth Apollo Stakes win after previous successes with mighty mare Winx (2016-17, 2019), Endless Drama (2018) and Danleigh (2010), has a strong hand in the race including crack colt Militarize ($4.80) and Lindermann ($9.50).

Irish import Buckaroo has the class to win the Apollo Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Berry is also convinced Mumbai Muse can mix it with highly-rated fillies Tiz Invincible and Learning To Fly in the Group 2 $300,000 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).

The Michael Freedman-trained Mumbai Muse is rated a $7.50 chance in latest TAB betting behind Tiz Invincible ($3.90 favourite) and Learning To Fly ($4.20).

“Those two fillies have been trialling well but so has Mumbai Muse,’’ Berry said.

“James (McDonald, Tiz Invincible) and Chad (Schofield, Learning To Fly) will have decisions to make from their outside barriers but I will be able to ride my filly where she is comfortable from her barrier (four).’’

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Mumbai Muse went to the spelling paddock after Berry rode her to successive feature race wins in the Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick and the Desirable Stakes at Flemington last spring and the jockey has noticed a significant change in the filly’s attitude at trackwork.

“She is a much more relaxed filly this time in, much easier to work with,’’ Berry said.

“At the start of spring last year, she was still very keen in her races but by the end of her preparation, the day she won at Flemington, she was back near last early and off the bit.

“She’s been the same in both her recent trials and I think she is helping herself now, she is working with us instead of against us.

“I’m sure she has gained confidence out of her wins but she is knowing what her job is now.’’

Mumbai Muse can give the Light Fingers Stakes a shake. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The promising Strait Acer is resuming in the Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m).

Trainer Edward Cummings expertly guided Strait Acer through an eight-race campaign last time that started out with a class 1 win at the provincials before he won three of his next four races.

Strait Acer then won three of his next four starts, finished second in the Silver Eagle to Vienna Princess, ran on for a close fourth in Obamburumai’s Golden Eagle then a fast-finishing third to Magic Time in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

“Strait Acer came a long way in the spring,’’ Berry said.

“But he was a ball of energy last preparation, he did a lot wrong, wanted to go keen and hang a lot but was still winning and performing well at the top grade.

“He’s a much more relaxed horse this time in, he hasn’t been hanging in his work and his trials and I am really excited to see what he does on Saturday.’’

Berry has the strong book of eight rides at Randwick including talented mare Olentia ($2.80 favourite) in the Group 3 $250,000 Triscay Stakes (1200m) and first starter Enriched ($11) in the $160,000 Pierro Plate (1100m).

Early betting suggests the Pierro Plate is a match race between boom unbeaten colts Switzerland ($1.95) and Shangri La Express ($2.30) but Berry is not so sure.

“I’ve had a lot to do with Enriched at home,’’ Berry said.

“He’s a beautiful colt with a lovely, big stride on him.

“He’s a very laid-back type and I had to shake him up in his trial but he was going every bit as well as Shangri La Express on the line.

“Michael (Freedman, trainer) put the winkers on him for Tuesday morning and they really sharpened him up, helped him travel.

“It is a tough ask going up against the two favourites but if there is any chink in their armour he will be right on their heels.’’

Originally published as Tommy Berry talks up his chances aboard Buckaroo, Mumbai Muse and Strait Acer on Apollo Stakes day at Randwick