Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Jockey Tommy Berry is an unabashed fan of promising three-year-old Raging Force and would like to think he can announce himself as a Golden Rose contender at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jockey Tommy Berry (Pic: Bradley Photos).

But as confident as Berry is in the Peter Snowden-trained gelding’s ability he realises he needs to shake off the ‘winter wonder’ tag and step up in the Group 3 $250,000 Smithfield RSL San Domenico Stakes (1100m).

While Raging Force showed enough early potential to start $4.20 in a Breeders’ Plate on debut he’s been given plenty of time and Berry said the benefits of that are seen in his three wins through the winter months culminating in a runaway Rosehill victory on July 5.

“He missed the early two-year-old campaign that a lot of them had but I think that’s a blessing for him because he’s filled out into a lovely horse,’’ Berry said.

“He used to be aggressive and want to get on with the job but he’s so relaxed now. Time’s been his friend.

“He’s got a bit of a boom on him and he’s doing everything right so far. He’s got great tactical speed so that helps him in races.

“If he can beat them or run well you know you’re on a good prep going toward the Golden Rose.”

Raging Force, $2.40 with TAB on Wednesday, is on the $15 line in Golden Rose markets which is a mark of respect given he’s now meeting a field that includes a Blue Diamond winner and Golden Slipper runner-up.

Berry won the San Domenico in 2019 on Exceedance who ran third in the Golden Rose that year prior to winning a Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.

He said Raging Force has ticked over well in the time since his last start win with a barrier trial victory and some strong work during the week.

“We’ve got a good feeling about him getting out over a bit further as well so he ticks a lot of boxes but this is a step up for him,’’ he said.

“He’s up against some good quality three-year-olds that proved themselves at two.

“We’re under no illusion he’s up against it but we like what we’ve got there on Saturday and we think he’ll perform up to his best.

“It’s only 1100m so he’s definitely fit enough for that and he’ll improve off that no doubt.”

Group 1 placed mare Our Gold Hope has her second-up run for the campaign in the Mounties Group Handicap (1500m) and Berry was encouraged by her return two weeks ago.

She was beaten just over two lengths by War Eternal and Berry said he was dictated to at the business end having drawn barrier one so hopes things can play more in their favour.

It’s an important race for Our Gold Hope, who was runner-up in a Queensland Oaks at three, as trainers Robert & Luke Price look to break a run of outs with her and get a guide on where to point her in the spring.

“She doesn’t get a lot of luck in her races, she’s got a racing pattern where she gets back and needs luck,’’ Berry said.

Raging Force wins at Rosehill on July 5

“She had to go back to the inferior going and I thought she was really good through the line.

“It’s a perfect race for her, hopefully a big field will generate more speed. She hasn’t been in a race for a long time where there’s been good tempo.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting