Libertini (Image: Bradley Photos)
Tommy Berry has a monster book of rides at Rosehill on Saturday but, prior to that, he'll attempt a Group 1 hit-and-run mission to The Valley aboard Libertini in the William Reid Stakes on Friday.
"I galloped her two weeks ago and I said to (trainer) Anthony (Cummings), 'She's just not right yet' and within two weeks she's really come on well," Berry told said on Thursday.
"She's spot on for the weekend and she's definitely fit enough for 1200m first-up and she's got that incredible record fresh."
Libertini is favourite for the William Reid Stakes, a race which Sportsbet's bookmakers have marked $5 the field and one which she wasn't originally going to target.
Sydney's wet week forced a chance of tack for the multiple G2-winning mare.
"Melbourne wasn't the first choice but with the weather being the way it is, it definitely suits her," Berry said.
"First look at the barrier (13) wasn't pretty but there's a ton of speed in the race, haven't seen too many races with that much speed in it before.
"Hopefully that will split open the field and give me the chance to get in and get some cover."
It's the first time Berry has travelled interstate for more than year courtesy of COVID restrictions and while he has five cracks at G1 glory on Saturday, he's desperate to head south to kick off the weekend under lights.
"Really looking forward to getting to Melbourne for Group 1 night racing, we don't have that here in Sydney so it's always exciting," he said.
Berry will ride Mo'unga in the Rosehill Guineas, Stay Inside in the Golden Slipper, Master Of Wine in the Ranvet and Funstar in the George Ryder, leaving Dirty Work in the Galaxy as the only one of his G1 rides not at or near the top of the market.