Tommy Berry, who is currently enjoying a successful stint in Japan, will ride Maurice (JPN) (Screen Hero {JPN}) in the G1 Yasuda Kinen if the 2015 Japanese Horse of the Year lines up to defend his title in Tokyo on June 5.
The recent winner of the Hong Kong Champions Mile in a stretch of four consecutive group 1 victories, Maurice is still in quarantine since returning to Japan. His most recent race partner was Joao Moreira, who is currently not licenced to ride in Japan, leaving the door open for Berry.
The Australian jockey told Racing.com, “I've ridden some pretty special horses in my short career and this bloke looks as though he will be right up there, I'm pretty excited to be honest. It is something that has been in the pipeline for some time and hopefully he will line up in the race.”
Berry, who rode a treble at the weekend, added, “Coming back to Japan for this six-week stint, there was always the possibility I would get to ride Maurice, given Ryan Moore and Joao Moreira were not going to be available.
“I kept a close eye on Maurice in Hong Kong, watching all his trackwork and I took special notice of him in the Champions Mile knowing there was a chance I would get the ride. The Yasuda Kinen meeting is my last in Japan before I come back to Australia so hopefully we can go out on a bang.”
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