As the Melbourne Cup approaches, trainer Dan O'Sullivan strategically prepares Berkeley Square for his crucial test in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, aiming for a step closer to a prestigious future in horse racing.
As any experienced horse racing enthusiast understands, the Melbourne Cup is not a race for the timid. With its renowned 3200m challenge, preparations for success at Flemington often start years ahead of time. For Dan O’Sullivan, a trainer based in Ballarat, that journey has already commenced. His five-year-old stayer, Berkeley Square, is preparing for an important test this Saturday in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington. While securing a win would be optimal, it is the possibility of finishing in the top three that would guarantee his qualification for next year's Melbourne Cup.
At first glance, a span of 360 days might appear to be quite substantial, but for a horse like Berkeley Square, every moment is crucial. O’Sullivan has taken a careful and deliberate approach with the gelding, ensuring he has ample time and opportunity to grow. Although Berkeley Square initially started his career as the second favourite in the 2022 Victoria Derby, he wasn't fully prepared to handle the full distance. Now, at five years old, he is showing all the indicators of becoming a formidable competitor in distance races.
In his latest race at the Bendigo Cup on October 30, Berkeley Square tackled the 2400m distance for the first time since his Derby run. While he secured a second-place finish behind Sea King, his performance was commendable, particularly given that the eventual Melbourne Cup winner, Knight's Choice, could only come in fifth. O'Sullivan expressed satisfaction with the performance, saying, 'He was good, but the winner was just too good.' The trainer also emphasized their careful and strategic approach during the race, ensuring that Berkeley Square maintained cover throughout and finished with strength—an essential aspect of his development.
A significant element in the development of Berkeley Square has been the meticulous management of his distance races. O'Sullivan has systematically enhanced the horse's stamina by progressively extending the distances of his races, ensuring he's at ease with longer runs. “We’ve consistently been increasing his race distances, and it’s proving effective,” he remarked. “Getting this aspect right is essential, and I believe we've managed to do that quite well."
The connection between trainer and horse is just one aspect of the success story—apprentice jockey Jaylah Keenedy has been instrumental in Berkeley Square's achievements. Having ridden him in his last five races, which included two victories and two second-place finishes, Keenedy has built a strong relationship with the gelding. O’Sullivan commended her reliable performances, saying, “Jaylah has done nothing wrong, so we’ve chosen to keep her on board. She’s been vital to his growth, and it would be wonderful to see them win a significant race together.”
As the Queen Elizabeth Stakes approaches, O’Sullivan is feeling hopeful yet realistic. Though winning would be fantastic, his primary focus is on the ongoing journey towards the Melbourne Cup. "It would be wonderful to win a good race, and we’re hoping this is it," O’Sullivan remarked. However, no matter the outcome, this race will mark another significant milestone in Berkeley Square’s preparations for next year’s Melbourne Cup. The road to Flemington may still be lengthy, but with each race, this gelding continues to grow stronger, more mature, and increasingly prepared for the ultimate challenge.
