Nathan Berry took the birthday spoils at Rosehill this afternoon, piloting the Craig Carmody-trained Single to an impressive win in the Benchmark 85 Vinery Stud Handicap (1800m).
Photo by Racing and Sports
It was the only win of the afternoon conjured by the Berry twins, who turned 21 years old today, with Nathan's younger brother Tommy's best result coming aboard Mighty Obvious two races earlier, who finished third.
Veteran jockey Jim Cassidy, who turned 49 today, also failed to ride a winner. He finished third aboard Oakfield Commands in the last race of the day, and his protest against young jockey Adam Hyeronimus, who rode the winner Kinnersley, was dismissed.
The older of the Berry brothers spent his three other rides battling well back in the field, but was always confident Single could deliver him a late birthday present.
“I've had a fair day today but this was my main one to get out of today and I'm very happy,” Berry said.
“It was a very good relief actually, I've got a lot of time for this horse.
“I won't go and say [he's] top class, but I think he's very classy, he's got some lovely black-type races in store.
“Craig's done a fantastic job with this horse to get him back off a disappointing run last start. It might not have been a disappointing run, it might just have been he was looking for the 1800.
“He really exploded today. I really wanted to keep hold of him for another 100 [metres] but I thought if what happened the other day happens again today well I would've needed to get on my bike.”
The classy hoop steered Single to fourth over 1500m last start, with the son of High Chaparral pulling hard throughout the race.
This time around he settled closer to the pace, and found a nice run on the inside where he hit the lead from the very game Rolling Pin at the 200m, and held it to the post.
Rolling Pin refused to lie down despite straining under 60kg and finished a length and a half off in second, with Tropicana Girl third.
Carmody said Nathan had ridden the horse superbly.
“It was a very good ride, I take my hat off to him he rode him beautifully,” Carmody said.
“He was confident on the horse, let him relax, the pace was nice and even throughout which certainly helped the horse.
“Seeing him get to the line like that was very encouraging.
“He's not your general horse, you've got to take your time with him and he does tend to give a fair bit on race day and it does take him awhile to pick up.
“He's not a horse that you can back up too quickly, you've got to let him find his feet again and come back to you.
“[We'll] see how he pulls up through that, keep open-minded for a week and see [where he goes next].”
