Lifestyle prompts Berry’s return home

Tommy Berry is looking forward to his children enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle as he prepares to rejoin Sydney racing after a frustrating riding stint in Hong Kong.

While Berry has had fewer winners than he hoped as retained jockey for John Moore, and then as a Hong Kong Jockey Club rider, the 27-year-old said personal reasons were the catalyst for his return.

“It wasn’t really anything to do with the results on the track. John’s team hasn’t fired but I was confident of starting next season strongly as a club jockey,” Berry told Sky Sports Radio.

“It’s more to do with the family. Moving over here we only thought we had two kids, but the day before we moved here Sharnee found out she was pregnant with Levi.

“Three kids under the age of three-and-a-half is a bit difficult over here. At home we went from being on five acres where the kids could get outside and run around and have freedom to being in an apartment.

“That’s been a big lifestyle change, and they just haven’t settled in very well.”

Berry completes his Hong Kong commitments on July 15 and hopes to make his Sydney comeback on Missile Stakes Day at Randwick on August 4.

“It’s not going to be easy but I’m looking forward to the challenge and seeing what support I get when I get home,” he said.

Berry has ridden 16 winners in Hong Kong this season with Pakistan Star’s victory in last month’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup the highlight.