Young jockey Tommy Berry has been waiting more than four months for the chance to get back on board his favourite filly Karuta Queen in a race.That wait is almost over with Berry confident the speedster can return a winner in Saturday's Group Three San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.The Queanbeyan-based filly won four of her six starts as a two-year-old including the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.She hasn't started since leading the field and then fa
Young jockey Tommy Berry has been waiting more than four months for the chance to get back on board his favourite filly Karuta Queen in a race.
That wait is almost over with Berry confident the speedster can return a winner in Saturday's Group Three San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
The Queanbeyan-based filly won four of her six starts as a two-year-old including the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
She hasn't started since leading the field and then fading in the straight for 10th in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) on April 2.
"I've been waiting a long time to have her back," Berry said.
"She really made a big difference to my career and sent me on an upward path.
"Things have been going quite well since then although it's been a bit quiet the past few weeks. Hopefully she can win the San Domenico and we'll get going again."
The 20-year-old ventured to Canberra on July 22 to put Karuta Queen through her paces in a 900m trial on the Acton track, winning by a big margin.
"We try to trial her about three weeks before her big runs, or try to have three weeks between runs," Berry said.
"She trialled very well and seems to have come back better than last preparation, but you never know until they race again."
The daughter of Not A Single Doubt has eased from $3.20 to $3.80 with TAB Sportsbet since the San Domenico market opened on Wednesday, with talented colt Foxwedge rock solid as the $2.30 favourite.
With an unbeaten record over the course and distance, Berry is approaching Karuta Queen's return believing he is on the right horse for the race.
"I'll go into the race thinking she can win," Berry said.
"If she turns up like she did in her trial, I think she can win it.
"Their first start as a three-year-old is always very important to see how they have come back.
"It's going to suit her well because it's 1100 metres around Rosehill and she's won two from two over 1100 at Rosehill already.
"I would expect her to be going pretty close because there's a few horses, like Foxwedge, that are going to be better over 1400 metres whereas 1100 suits Karuta Queen down to the ground."
Favourite Foxwedge is being aimed at the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) third-up on September 10 but trainer John O'Shea believes he has the colt forward enough to really make his presence felt in his season return.
Foxwedge turned in a strong gallop on Tuesday morning at Randwick in preparation for his return.
Rosehill received six millimetres of rain overnight on Thursday with the track rated a slow (6).