Slipper winner in top shape for Randwick

Wednesday 10 April 2013, 4:54pm

The recuperative powers of Golden Slipper winner Overreach have surprised even her trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Waterhouse planned to give the filly a few easy days to get over her Slipper victory before deciding if she would back-up in Saturday's Group One Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

But Overreach bounced back from the race so well, Waterhouse didn't have to wait to make up her mind.

And that was just fine with jockey Tommy Berry.

"Gai was going to wait until Thursday to decide whether she would run but she had made up her mind on Monday," Berry said.

"It is the best she has pulled up from a run. She is really fit and most horses pull up better from a race when they're fit."

The Slipper victory was just the start of a heady week for Berry.

He also learned he's been granted a licence to ride in Hong Kong until the end of their season following the decision by fellow Australian Tim Clark to return home for personal reasons.

Berry is chuffed to be given such an opportunity but admits he isn't letting himself think too much about it given the autumn carnival is in full swing.

"It is something exciting but I've got the Sydney carnival to worry about first," Berry said.

"I will start to think about it once that is finished.

"But it is a new challenge and I'm always up for a new challenge.

"Hong Kong is known for having the toughest racing in the world and some of the best jockeys in the world so I couldn't knock back that chance."

The chance to ride Overreach in the second leg of the juvenile triple crown is one Berry is also relishing.

The filly will be out to join Pierro (2012), Sebring (2008) and Dance Hero (2004) as Waterhouse-trained Slipper winners who have gone on to claim the Sires' Produce.

While the seven-day back up and the step up to 1400 metres are queries, Berry has confidence in Overreach's ability to handle both.

"Gai knocked the nail on the head this morning when she said the Slipper is a high-pressure race which makes it like a 1400," Berry said.

"There is less pressure in a Sires' and Overreach has had her ears pricked over the last furlong in her races so I think she's still got a bit left in her."

A field of 13 has accepted for the Sires' Produce with five horses set to back-up from the Slipper, the others being Guelph (fourth), Villa Verde (seventh), Charlie Boy (eighth) and Windjammer (ninth).

– AAP

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