Tommy Berry hails ‘lovely filly’ Corazon Beat while labelling the Golden Eagle favourite a ‘beast’

Group 1 jockey Tommy Berry travelled to Canterbury Park on Wednesday morning to link up with the Japanese contender for the Golden Eagle.

He concedes Golden Eagle favourite Ascoli Piceno is “a beast” but star jockey Tommy Berry has given fellow Japanese weapon Corazon Beat a big tick of approval ahead of Saturday week’s $10m feature at Rosehill Gardens.

Berry travelled to Canterbury Park on Wednesday morning to put the Shizuya Kato-trained galloper through her paces the first time.

Fellow top rider Joao Moreira was also on course to take the reins on Golden Eagle favourite Ascoli Piceno.

It was a crucial hitout for both international campaigners as they prepare for Australia’s second richest race on November 2 and drew high praise from Berry.

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Corazon Beat was given a hitout at Canterbury Park by jockey Tommy Berry. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Corazon Beat is a lovely filly,” Berry said.

“She looks very well in the coat and has a great attitude.

“I thought she put in a really strong piece of work this morning.

“That was her main gallop for the Golden Eagle next week and they will do a bit more finetuning on Thursday.”

Corazon Beat worked in earmuffs but Berry has recommended they only get worn pre-race heading into the Golden Eagle.

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Ascoli Piceno is the $3.50 favourite for the Golden Eagle while Corazon Beat is an $18 chance in what will be the horses’ fourth clash on the track.

The Yoichi Kuroiwa-trained Ascoli Piceno has beaten Corazon Beat home in all three of their previous meetings in Japan, including when they finished first and third respectively in the Group 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (1600m).

Corazon Beat has been far from her best in her past two starts, finishing more than 11 lengths off Ascoli Piceno when the latter won the Group 3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap last start.

She is very good:

G3 1600m Autumn Handicap at Nakayama

Won by star 3yo filly 10. ASCOLI PICENO (Daiwa Major x Ascolti (Danehill Dancer)) x Christophe Lemaire 🇫🇷

1.30.8 for the Mile🔥

6: 4-2 career -G1 Juv Fillies winner, 2nd Oka Sho,2nd NHK Mile#JRApic.twitter.com/mIJsP6mJr4

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) September 8, 2024

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But Berry is adamant Corazon Beat is better than that form suggests.

“She went off the boil there at her last couple of starts but had genuine excuses from what the stable have reported to me and they are very pleased with her going into it,” Berry said.

“Early on in her career she had good form behind the favourite (Ascoli Piceno) and there wasn’t a lot between them, only a length-and-a-half or so.

“I obviously saw the favourite out there with Joao aboard her and you can easily see why she is favourite. She is a beast and a beautiful filly.

“She will take some beating for sure but I think my filly is a great top four chance.”

Unbeaten French galloper Lazzat ($6) as well as English raider Lake Forest ($18) will also contest the Golden Eagle.

Originally published as Tommy Berry hails ‘lovely filly’ Corazon Beat while labelling the Golden Eagle favourite a ‘beast’