Berry disqualified until next year
Multiple Group 1-winning jockey Tommy Berry has been handed a disqualification just short of 12 months, along with an additional licence suspension of four weeks, after being found guilty of accepting considerations from bets placed by a prominent punter.
Berry was disqualified for a period of 11 months and two weeks for ‘accepting or agreeing to accept considerations’ from Zaid Miller, and an additional four-week suspension for having a mobile phone in the jockeys’ room.
His disqualification commences immediately and does not expire until midnight on December 31, before the extra four-week suspension will be applied, ruling him ineligible to ride until January 29, 2024.
Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Under the rules of Australian racing, it is illegal for jockeys to accept considerations from anyone other than a horse's owner without permission from stewards.
According to the Herald, it is alleged two separate transfers from big-time punter Miller were made to a relative of Berry.
Miller is purported to have collected more than $100,000 from wagers placed on Waterford (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) winning a Warwick Farm race early last year and an all-up on Character (Teofilo {Ire}) and Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}), which Berry didn’t ride, in events on the rescheduled Group 1 meeting at Newcastle last March.
According to reports by News Corp and Fairfax Media, Berry intends to appeal the ban and apply for a stay of proceedings so he can continue to ride until an appeal is heard.
Prebble booked for Icebath
Veteran jockey Brett Prebble, who has relocated to Sydney, will take the reins aboard the Group 1-winning mare Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) during her autumn campaign.
Fresh from a Rosehill double on Saturday, Prebble partnered the mare in her Warwick Farm trial on Monday and will be aboard the 6-year-old when she resumes in the $250,000 G2 Apollo S. (1400 metres) at Randwick on February 11.
“She is in great order and will trial again in a fortnight before resuming in the Apollo,” Widdup said.
“Brett has offered to come out to Hawkesbury once a week to ride work, and I wanted a jockey to stick with Icebath throughout her campaign.”
Brett Prebble | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Meanwhile, stablemate Fire Lane (Hellbent), who will contest Thursday’s re-scheduled R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200 metres), had a gallop on Tuesday morning.
“Fire Lane did some work this morning (Tuesday) just to keep her ticking over,” said Widdup.
“I will go back to the Coast to saddle her on Thursday.”
Group 1-winning mare pleases co-trainers
Talented mare Marabi (I Am Invincible), the winner of last year’s G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100 metres), has come through a Cranbourne jump-out in good order.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare hasn’t been to the races since being unplaced in the 2022 G1 William Reid S. in mid-March, after undergoing bone chip surgery.
The 6-year-old finished third behind Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) and Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner) over 800 metres on Monday.
Marabi | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
“It’s obviously good to have her back and she looks to have come back extremely well," Eustace told Racing.com.
“She just had a bridle trial, very much so, had a couple of horses pass her late, but she had her usual exuberance and competitiveness early and was up on the speed.
“She will either run in the Lightning or the Oakleigh Plate as a first start.”
Fresh is best for Maotai, says Fogden
Enigmatic sprinter Maotai (Not A Single Doubt) is in top shape ahead of Thursday’s Magic Millions Snippets at the Gold Coast, according to the gelding’s trainer Kacy Fodgen.
The 4-year-old will be first-up in the $1 million, 1200-metre scamper, which Fogden believes suits best.
Maotai boasts three wins from as many starts when resuming.
Maotai | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"He goes so well fresh, we will probably target a few races down there (Sydney). I don't want to leave him in Sydney this time, I’d like to send him out and space his runs to keep him fresh,” Fogden told News Corp.
“He has done so well here at the farm, I’d love to just train him from here because I don't think I have seen him do so well, ever.
“You can't replicate that at Rosehill.”
Benner seeks more Karaka Million glory
Te Akau Racing may have been the dominant force in the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO (1200 metres) in recent years, but at least one of their rivals knows plenty about winning big races on this day.
The Otaki stable of Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, operating on a much smaller scale, have scored million-dollar triumphs twice at this meeting, with Vespa (NZ) in the Karaka Million 2YO in 2014 and with Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) in the 3YO Classic in 2018.
This year they’re back with Dapper (NZ) (Shooting To Win), who comes into the race with strong form and decent prospects of stemming the tangerine tide.
Hollie Wynard and Johno Benner | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“It’s not our first rodeo. We just do what we do,” Benner said.
“We have our ways, and we stick to what we do and don’t worry about what anybody else is doing. You can only control your own horse.
“No doubt the Te Akau team has a strong hand in the race, but we only bought a couple of horses last year and we’ve got one in the race, so we’re pretty happy.”
The colt heads into the juvenile feature off a good win at Pukekohe Park last start.
“It was a good win. He was strong late, and he’ll improve off that for the grand final, which is what we wanted,” Benner said.
“Now we just need to draw a gate.”
Moody trio gear up for autumn riches
In-form mare Invincible Caviar (I Am Invincible) has gone to the paddock, but trainer Peter Moody will still have plenty of firepower during the autumn.
Stable stars Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun), I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) and Boogie Dancer (Sooboog) are all set to resume in the coming weeks, but where exactly, remains undecided.
“We’re pretty open with where we might go with Chain Of Lightning,” assistant trainer, Katherine Coleman, said.
“We’ll see how she comes through her first jump-out and then she’ll probably have a follow up jump-out and then we’ll assess options from there and map out her exact program.
“The All-Star Mile could be an option I Wish I Win, but we may keep him for more short-course races.
“I don't think she (Boogie Dancer) necessarily needs the wet tracks.
“We’re keen to get her on a decent surface instead of being on the heavy.”
O’Dea bullish about Scallopini’s chances
Steve O’Dea, who trains in partnership with Matt Hoysted, believes Scallopini (Snitzel) is well-placed to land the prize in Thursday’s $1 million Magic Millions The Syndicate (1200 metres).
The 8-year-old is first-up, having closed his most recent campaign with victory in the Listed The Sofitel (1400 metres) at Flemington.
Scallopini has raced 11 times fresh, winning on four occasions.
Scallopini | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
“The weight-for-age conditions suits him,” O'Dea said.
“He’s high up in the ratings and meets horses really well from that perspective.
“With a really good fresh record, he’s prepped- up well for it and we’re expecting him to be hard to beat.”
