Berry eager for HK International meeting

Fresh from his latest taste of Hong Kong racing, jockey Tommy Berry has confirmed he will return to Sha Tin for the prestigious International meeting in December.

Berry reunited with the John Moore-trained Able Friend for the first time in almost three years, steering him to finish fourth in the Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on Sunday.

It was Able Friend’s first race since a long injury lay-off as he builds towards the Hong Kong Mile during the International meeting on December 11.

“I’ll be there for the meeting but whether I’m on Able Friend or not I’m sure,” Berry said.

“We’ll see if John will lets me back on.”

Hong Kong-based superstar Joao Moreira has ridden Able Friend in each of his four Group One wins.

Berry said the sprinters had been too sharp for Able Friend but he was happy with his performance against solid opposition.

“I really like the way he carried himself to the furlong but he just got a bit tired from then on,” Berry said.

“John’s got the Internationals in mind so he’ll have a bit more left up his sleeve.”

Berry has two Group One wins in the Asian racing capital this year, unleashing Chautauqua’s dazzling finish in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April a little more than a month after winning the Hong Kong Gold Cup on Designs On Rome.