BERRY SHOWDOWN LOOMS IN MILLIONS
Thursday, 19 December 2013: Nathan Berry has set-up a showdown with twin brother Tommy after piloting Unencumbered to victory in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions Classic.
Unencumbered
Bjorn Baker’s two-year-old shot to equal third in Magic Millions Classic betting as a $6.50 shot after a strong win this afternoon, beating home Geromayo and the well-backed Sheer Style.
Tommy Berry has been cleared to ride Echo Gal in next month’s Magic Millions on the Gold Coast after successfully appealing against the severity of his Hong Kong suspension incurred at the international meeting earlier this month.
He’ll be chasing his third win in the $2m race while his brother Nathan is hoping to capture the lucrative prize for the first time.
“He’s a nice horse I’m looking forward to the Magic Millions now,” Berry said.
“He’s a proper race horse. He walks around like a ten-year-old I think that’s a big asset to his career going forward.
“Bjorn was a bit worried about the pattern of the day but I believe in the horse I know how good he is.”
Baker advised Berry to settle a bit closer in the small field, but the talented jockey said it wouldn’t be necessary.
Sheer Style led them up and was still under a hold at the top of the straight when she hung out sharply.
Berry meanwhile was lumbering along even further out wide, and took charge from the furlong marker before being eased down on the line.
I’ll give Nathan credit I said to him you might want to be a bit closer he said don’t worry about it,” Baker said.
“He rode him accordingly, had a nice run throughout.
“He’s a nice colt, every time he races he’s improving and that’s a great sign as well.
“I think the second two are pretty good horses too, hopefully he comes through the race well that’s all that counts now.”