Tosen Stardom was allocated barrier 11 after the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes field was released on Tuesday, but jockey Tommy Berry does not believe that the wide draw will be an issue for the Japanese galloper.
Tommy Berry fancies the chances of Tosen Stardom in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Tosen Stardom hit the line strongly to finish second behind Contributer in his Australian racing debut in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21, but Berry believes that the Deep Impact entire could have finished closer to the winner with some additional luck in running.
Berry told Racing Ahead that he is keen to turn the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in to a genuine staying test and he believes that the wide draw gives him the best chance to do that in the 2000 metres event.
“I think that it is going to suit him perfectly drawn wide,” Berry said.
“As you saw last start, he drew the inside and he was held up for a fair while and then when the sprint went on he was unable to go with the other horses, but in the last 100 metres he was really able to come on quiet strong.
“Drawing out in 11 I will be able to take off when I need to and turn the race into a good strong staying race, which I think will suit him perfectly.”
Berry has not ridden Tosen Stardom since his second place finish in the Ranvet Stakes, but he said that he is thrilled with the reports he has received from the connections of the four-year-old.
The Ranvet Stakes was Tosen Stardom’s first race start since he took out the Group 3 The Challenge Cup (1800m) at Hanshin in December of last year and Berry believes that the Queen Elizabeth Stakes contender had taken plenty of benefit out of his first-up run.
“From what I have heard, he has improved more than any other horse that has come over, which is very pleasing to hear and he was always going to improve because he had a long time in between runs,” Berry said.
“He was a little bit on his toes the other week in the mounting yard and he had that freshness there, but I am sure that he will be spot on for Saturday.”
Tosen Stardom is currently available at 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $8 and is on the fourth line of betting behind Contributer ($3.70), To The World ($4.20) and Criterion ($7).
