Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby on the Radar for Berkeley Square

Mark Smith - Saturday August 6

Godolphin’s Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Territories (IRE) found it tough garnering support from breeders in five seasons of shuttling, but he looks to have a promising type in the 3yo Berkeley Square.

Berkeley Square low flying (image Grant Courtney)

Berkeley Square low flying (image Grant Courtney)

Sent off a short-priced favourite in Saturday’s VRC Member Damian Cubela Hcp (1400m), the Dan O’Sullivan-trained gelding got the job done in some style.

Given a positive ride by Craig Williams, Berkeley Square hit the line strongly to defeat the Per Incanto (USA) colt Castillian by two lengths and a half with the So You Think filly Proscenium Arch a nose back in third.

From her sire’s second crop of 46 live foals, Berkeley Square made a winning debut at Geelong in March before a luckless second to the promising Boogie Dancer (Sooboog) in the VOBIS Gold Ingot at Caulfield.

Advertisement

Dan O’Sullivan said he hopes the son of Territories can measure up to a Caulfield Guineas or Victoria Derby.

“I’ll have a good chat to Craig. There is a Listed race here in four weeks and we would like to get him to the Caulfield Guineas,” O’Sullivan said.

“Whether that is going to be a bit too sharp for him, and it’s a fair way away.

“There is a nice race for him in early November or late October (VRC Derby) we can have a look at.”  

Big horse with a big future (image Grant Courtney)

Big horse with a big future (image Grant Courtney)

A homebred for David Peacock and partners, Berkeley Square is a half-brother to Group III ATC Frank Packer Plate winner and Group 1 BTC Queensland Derby runner-up Senor Toba (Toronado), out of the Teofilo (IRE) mare Bahamas.

Placed in the SAJC Schweppes Oaks and Group III South Australia Fillies Classic, Bahamas is a half-sister to Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes winner and Group 1 SAJC Australasian Oaks third Affair To Remember (Toronado) and stakes-placed Exodus (Bernardini).

Bahamas has a 2yo filly by Frosted (USA) named Another You and a weanling colt by Harry Angel (IRE).

The daughter of Teofilo (IRE) was covered by Blue Point (IRE) last spring.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Vrc Member Damian Cubela-Bm70 1410m

Flemington Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:25.36
1
Berkeley Square
- 3g Territories (IRE) x Bahamas (AUS) (Teofilo (IRE))
Tnr: Dan O'Sullivan Rdr: Craig Williams 59
2
1.8
Castillian
- 3c Per Incanto (USA) x Anaween (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 58
3
1.9
Proscenium Arch
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x It's Our Showtime (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 57.5
4
5.8
Blakmax
- 3c Brazen Beau (AUS) x Maxie's Blue Girl (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
5
6.0
Cusack
- 3c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Belle Que (AUS) (Street Hero (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Melham 59.5
6
7.5
Palaggio
- 3g Caravaggio (USA) x Rocket Commander (AUS) (Court Command (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ms L J Meech 58
7
8.0
Water Bomber
- 3g Headwater (AUS) x Regal Tier (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: D Moor 58
8
20.0
Taut You Could
- 3g O'Lonhro (AUS) x Taut (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Damian Lane 59.5
More Reading...
Blue Diamond Market Movers Trying To Defy History
A day out from acceptances, the Monday market moves in the Blue Diamond have come for two horses trying to defy recent history on several fronts, while the favourite has paid up.
Berkeley Square Stays on Track for Victoria Derby
Berkeley Square will progress to the Group 1 Victoria Derby, while runner-up Virtuous Circle will head to the spelling paddock, the fallout from Saturday’s Group II Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Three States
Some interesting two-year-old trials around Australia on Monday with a couple of first season sires showing up, a high priced Horses In Training graduate and a pointer to one selling at Magic Millions Perth this week.
Yulong Acquire Australian Guineas Favourite
Yulong have announced they have acquired ruling Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital.
Berkeley Square Wins $500,000 Ballarat Cup
The $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday was won by quality five year-old gelding Berkeley Square, a homebred for renowned South Australian breeder David Peacock that was raised at Mill Park.
Pivotal Ten Highlights Valachi Downs Legacy
Kevin Hickman has left a lasting mark on New Zealand’s breeding industry, with the recent success of sensational filly Pivotal Ten an embodiment of his vision at Valachi Downs.
OTI Racing Acquire Oaks Prospect
Australian syndicator OTI Racing have added a $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) contender to their New Zealand racing arsenal after securing promising filly Twisted Love last week.
Group One Winning Savabeel Mare Retired
It was an emotional day at Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stables on Sunday when co-trainer Sam Bergerson farewelled Skew Wiff for the final time following her retirement from racing.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Rosehill
There were six juvenile heats at the Rosehill barrier trials on Tuesday with a first look at two impressive youngsters by I Am Invincible a highlight along with another Farnan youngster confirming his talent.
Territories Son Berkeley Square on Track for Caulfield Guineas
We nominated Berkeley Square as a leading contender for the Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby early on and have no reason to change our mind after the son of Territories (IRE) opened his stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington.