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Jockey Tommy Berry backs Olentia to rise to occasion in her biggest test in Saturday’s Group 2 The Invitation at Randwick

Star jockey Tommy Berry has a growing confidence exciting duo Olentia and Henlein can confirm their emerging potential by securing the feature race double at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Ray Thomas
6 min read
October 25, 2024 - 5:00PM
Hold All Tickets – Punters (Episode 9) 26-10-24

Star jockey Tommy Berry has a growing confidence exciting duo Olentia and Henlein can confirm their emerging potential by securing the feature race double at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Olentia faces her moment of truth when she takes on a quality field of mares in the Group 2 $2 million The Invitation (1400m).

The same could be said of three-year-old Henlein as Berry attempts to break his Group 1 drought in the $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

The Chris Waller-trained Olentia, who is challenging for The Invitation favouritism at $4.40 behind stablemate Zougotcha and the Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time at $4, resumed with a brilliant win in The Nivison at Rosehill two weeks ago.

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Berry said there were concerns going into that race that a bigger, stronger Olentia might have needed the run as she had only one barrier trial prior to her comeback win.

“Olentia has a great fresh record and she was terrific first-up,’’ Berry said.

“But she had to do it off a longer break and she had a massive blow after the race.

“She has returned to training this spring a lot bigger and stronger so that was why we were a bit worried first-up off just one barrier trial as her racing weight is heavier than previous preparations because of the condition she has put on.

“So, it was a great effort by her to get the job done and it sets her up for The Invitation.’’

• Begg banking on Rawiller to produce some Magic in The Invitation

Berry, who has been riding in top form, said his confidence was given a further boost when Olentia drew well in barrier seven.

“We should be able to get the right run from her nice barrier and I can’t see why she can’t get the job done again,’’ Berry said.

“Her stablemate Zougotcha has also drawn well and will be hard to beat but Olentia is going to the race in very good order.’’

Berry hasn’t won a Group 1 race since the Victoria Oaks on She’s Extreme two years ago but the jockey has a lot of faith in Henlein, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained colt who is among the main chances in the Spring Champion Stakes.

• Widden forgives Zougotcha flog ahead of The Invitation

Henlein impressed when closing late for second in the Bill Stutt Stakes at The Valley but then ran below expectations with his sixth behind El Castello and Swiftfalcon in the Gloaming Stakes.

“It was a weird race at Rosehill the other day,’’ Berry explained.

“We drew wide and went back, and the field split up like there were two races.

“Henlein and Swiftfalcon ended up in the second pack following horses that weren’t taking us into the race while the winner was off and gone.

“The plan was to get him out to the centre of the track and run home. Visually, it looks like he just plodded away making steady ground but his sectionals were good and he was strong through the line.’’

• Rag to riches? Payne plots royal upset in Spring Champion Stakes

Berry said the Freedman stable’s decision to put visors on Henlein could prove a masterstroke.

“This colt can get a bit hot at trackwork but with the visors on he has been so much more relaxed this week but really switched on when doing his work,’’ Berry said.

“There’s always a risk putting headgear on a horse going up in distance but I don’t feel it will be an issue for Henlein especially after he drew such a good barrier (one).’’

Berry has a strong book of eight rides at Randwick including last year’s Epsom Handicap winner Rediener in the Group 3 $750,000 Craven Plate (1800m) and Freedom Rally in the Listed $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m).

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Randwick on Saturday

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BROADSIDING ‘READY TO PEAK’ IN COX PLATE

Godolphin maestro James Cummings revealed superstar colt Broadsiding was “absolutely flying” going into the Group 1 $5 million Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.

Broadsiding was outstanding winning the Golden Rose first-up then had genuine excuses when fourth in the Caulfield Guineas. Cummings was bullish about the three-year-old’s chances against older horses.

“He’s well and truly ready to run the best of this campaign,’’ Cummings said. “He’s absolutely flying, we saw his huge return in the Golden Rose.

“I feel like the horse is ready to peak. It would be an incredible achievement for the horse, if he could rise to the occasion and win a Cox Plate.”

• Cummings keeps Broadsiding’s Cox Plate tactics secret

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CAN J-MAC BRING UP HIS TON?

A Cox Plate win for jockey James McDonald and trainer Gai Waterhouse would be particularly significant but for different reasons.

McDonald, who is chasing a Cox Plate hat-trick after his wins on Romantic Warrior (2023) and Anamoe (2022), is riding outstanding Chris Waller-trained mare Via Sistina and if successful it would be his 100th career Group 1 winner.

Waterhouse, who saddles up Royal Patronage, has won just about everything worth winning in Australian racing with the obvious exception of the Cox Plate. She has had some near misses in the big race with second placings from Manhattan Rain (2009) and Lotteria (2025), and third placings with Alligator Blood (2023), Fiorente (2013), Pierro (2012) and All Our Mob (1996).

• J-Mac reveals passion for tradition in Group 1 century hunt

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‘SHE’S A FILLY OF SOME PROMISE’

Top jockey Jason Collett is again relying on a filly, Pleasure Artist, to win the Spring Champion Stakes.

Collett won the three-year-old classic in 2020 on the top filly Montefilia, who was the $2.70 favourite.

Pleasure Artist, trained by Richard and Will Freedman, is rated only a $12 chance and is going to Group 1 level in her debut preparation off just three starts. However, her most recent effort when second to Swiftfalcon in the Dulcify Quality gave Collett confidence she could be competitive.

“I haven’t ridden Pleasure Artist before but she’s obviously a filly of some promise,’’ Collett said. “I liked her run last start to finish second behind Swiftfalcon which is the right form for this race.’’

• Ray & Duff’s Randwick tips, race-by-race analysis: $5 best bet

Collett is linking with the all-powerful Ciaron Maher stable in three of the feature race races – Royal Merchant in the Group 2 $2 million The Invitation (1400m), Deconstruction for the Group 2 $1 million Callander-Presnell (1600m) and Holymanz in the Listed $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m).

“Royal Merchant ran well for third last start and probably just needs to be ridden a touch quieter to see out a strong 1400m,’’ Collett said. “She was a touch unlucky finishing sixth in this race last year.

“I thought Holymanz trialled really nicely the other day and he has a chance in the Prelude.

“Deconstruction won his maiden at Wyong, then got back too far at Warwick Farm when he ran third, then he ran third again in a stronger race. He’s a progressive horse.’’

• MARKET MOVERS: $4.80 to $3.20 firmer on Saturday

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5 YEARS AGO
Lys Gracieux, the outstanding Japanese mare who was ridden by Damian Lane, produced a brilliant performance to career away from Castelvecchio and Te Akau Shark to win the Cox Plate at The Valley. Irish stayer Hunting Horn won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. The Mark Newnham-trained Shadow Hero justified his $1.90 odds with an impressive win in the Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick.

10 YEARS AGO
Irish training maestro Aidan O’Brien scored his biggest win in Australia when Adelaide, ridden by Ryan Moore, finished strongly to edge out Fawkner and Silent Achiever in the Cox Plate. Prince Of Penzance won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup before returning 12 months later to win the Melbourne Cup. Hampton Court, ridden by Josh Park gave Gai Waterhouse her fourth win in the Spring Champion Stakes when he defeated top filly First Seal and ran the Randwick 2000m in 2m 0.3s which still stands as a track record.

20 YEARS AGO
Savabeel, the outstanding three-year-old trained by Graeme Rogerson, was given a brilliant ride by Chris Munce to comfortably hold off Fields Of Omagh and Starcraft to win the Cox Plate. The Spring Champion Stakes was run three weeks earlier that spring and Savabeel also won that Group 1 classic at Randwick, defeating Outback Prince. Another Warrior, ridden by the great Darren Beadman, won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

Originally published as Jockey Tommy Berry backs Olentia to rise to occasion in her biggest test in Saturday’s Group 2 The Invitation at Randwick

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/horse-racing/jockey-tommy-berry-backs-olentia-to-rise-to-occasion-in-her-biggest-test-in-saturdays-group-2-the-invitation-at-randwick/news-story/988fe859b4bf20d09f97657182683448