1 month ago
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By Craig Kerry
January 29, 2026 — 5.00pm
Jockey Tommy Berry has no doubt Incognito can handle a weight rise on Saturday at Rosehill and repeat his Breeders Plate performance in the Canonbury Stakes, if the colt is as good as he and trainer Michael Freedman think he is.
And, for now at least, Incognito is the benchmark in Freedman’s ranks as he strives for back-to-back Golden Slippers.
Tommy Berry takes Incognito to victory in the Breeders Plate at Randwick on October 4.Credit: Getty Images
Berry rode a winning double for Freedman, including two-year-old filly Satin Summer, last Saturday at Randwick, and the combination had an outstanding spring with stakes victories from 2025 Slipper winner Marhoona, Manaal, Apocalyptic, Ohope and Incognito.
A $1 million son of Freedman and Berry’s 2021 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, Incognito is an $8 joint favourite for the March 21 grand final off his group 3 Breeders Plate (1000m) win at his only start.
The victory, though, also brings with it a three-kilogram penalty for Saturday’s group 3 race for two-year-old colts and geldings over 1100m.
Berry has been aboard Incognito, a $1.60 TAB favourite from gate six on Saturday, in two trials back and, although he expects improvement, the three-time Slipper winner is confident of a strong return.
“His two trials have been really good,” Berry said.
“He’s obviously got to lump the penalty on the weekend, but if I think he’s as good as we think he is, and if he’s going to be in the Slipper in eight weeks’ time, he should be able to handle the penalty.
“Michael’s got a few at home that we like just as much as him, who haven’t stepped out yet, but at the moment, from what we’ve seen, he’s definitely our benchmark.
“And we’re sure he’s made that necessary improvement since he’s come back to be competitive at the top level.”
Freedman’s Slipper path for Incognito after the Canonbury was the Silver Slipper and Todman Stakes. “He’s certainly strengthened up a little bit,” Freedman said.
“He’s still got a beautiful temperament, which is just as important.”
Freedman also had a Saturday win with Godolphin two-year-old colt Outspan this month, and he has a hope in the fillies’ group 3, the Widden Stakes (1100m), on Saturday with another from the global powerhouse in Hardanger.
The Pinatubo filly made up good ground to finish third behind the other Slipper favourite, Warwoven, at her only start. Berry hoped a gear change would improve the $4.80 chance.
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“She’s a lovely filly,” Berry said.
“We’ve just whacked a set of blinkers on her because she hits a bit of a flat spot around the bend, which she did at her first start and again in her trial.
“She’s drawn a bit awkward [in seven], which is not ideal at Rosehill out of that chute. She’s probably going to get back a bit, but hopefully there’s good speed on and she should be in the finish.”
Like with Incognito, Berry expects Freedman-trained Enriched to take improvement from his return in the group 3 JRA Plate (1200m) on Saturday. The four-year-old, by I Am Invincible and out of Winx’s half-sister Miss Atom Bomb, won the listed Fireball and group 2 Arrowfield last autumn before a hock injury wiped out his spring. Yulong has since bought 20 per cent of the stallion prospect for $440,000.
“We’ve been pleased with his work and his two trials, so he’s got to go to the races and show that he’s back to his best,” Berry said.
“That’s always a question mark when they come back, but he’s done nothing show that he’s not back to his best.”
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