Top Sydney jockey Tommy Berry has a knack of making instant impressions and on Sunday night he showcased his untapped talent to win the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup.
Berry, partnering the Michael Freedman-trained Tropaios, claimed a last-to-first victory in the $1.1 million race, reports Racing Network.
It added another chapter to what has been an amazing year for Berry, highlighted by his victory on Overreach in the Golden Slipper.
He then went to Hong Kong where he partnered the John Moore-trained Military Attack to win the QE11 Cup
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” marveled Berry. “Six or seven months ago I rode a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong at my first meeting and to come here … it is a great feeling to ride a new track for new people on a new horse I’d never sat on before. For the owners – China Horse Club – to bring me here for this race is a great feeling. I’m looking forward to coming back again.”
Freedman was lavish in his praise for Berry.
“It was a super ride by Tommy, he’s a world class rider,” enthused Freedman. “He knew exactly how to he wanted to ride this horse."
While Freedman savored the highs of Melbourne Cup triumphs when working in conjunction with his brother Lee, he rated Tropaios’ win as his “greatest thrill” since moving to Singapore.
Tropaios, a former French horse, finished too powerfully for the Laurie Laxon-trained Orakei Karako with Dragon Fly, ridden by Craig Newitt, third.