Echo Gal has emerged as a leading contender for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast following her impressive debut win at Warwick Farm. The Gai Waterhouse trained filly had been backed from $26 to $9 with the TAB to win the prestigious two-year-old feature prior to her debut and is now on the second line of betting at $7.50 behind Oakleigh Girl and Sheer Style ($6.50).
Punters were expecting a strong showing from Echo Gal, firming from $1.65 to $1.55 before she raced away to win by a widening margin in a time of 57.58 seconds.
"She had to do a bit of work early to cross them, I was pleased with the way she pulled away, I am tipping her last furlong wouldn't have been overly quick because she floated with me down the straight, when she gets a bit of competition she really goes on, I think she will improve off that," Berry said.
Berry is sweating on the outcome of his appeal against the severity of a careless riding charge from Hong Kong last Sunday in the hope of riding Echo Gal at the Gold Coast.
Berry copped a 10-meeting ban for dropping his hands on Smart Man in the final event, ruling him out from after Saturday until January 16.
"I spoke to Hong Kong today, it is in the process of when they can do it," Berry said.
"I am not sure whether or not I have to go back, hopefully not but after that I might have to make the trip."
Gai Waterhouse's foreman Mark Newnham indicated Echo Gal would likely head to Brisbane for a run on December 28 before the Magic Millions Classic on January 11.