Berry hoping for repeat effort from Ninja in $3m Everest back-up

Tommy Berry is backing the on-speed toughness of Ninja to overcome an awkward draw as the champion jockey looks to repeat the heroics of 2019 winner Pierata in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick. Michael Freedman-trained Ninja drew gate 13, which was 12 of 15 on Thursday with emergencies out. Tommy Berry celebrates Ninja’s Missile Stakes win. Getty ImagesBerry had the luxury of barrier three with Ninja last start in the $20 million The Everest (1200m) two weeks ago when the four-year-old sat behind the lead pair before finishing fifth, one and a half lengths off winner Tempted. He hoped to get the gelding forward again on Saturday in the Russell Balding, which was named after the previous year’s Everest winner when Berry won it in 2019 with Pierata. Berry took Pierata forward from gate 11 on that occasion to sit three wide behind the leaders before he lifted for a one-length win. He was confident Ninja could be in the first four or five in the run on Saturday and produce his best. “He rode the speed, which I thought was pretty hot on the day, but not as hot as what the times suggested, and him and Tempted were the only two who were on the speed that were left there at the end, and he was still strong through the line,” Berry said of the Everest effort. Tommy Berry rides Pierata to victory in the 2019 Redzel Stakes. Getty“He just had a horse three wide outside of him, and he just kept him honest the whole way, and I wasn’t able to flow into the race when I would have liked. “We know he’s got a really high cruising speed and when he’s won his races, he’s in front at the 300. He likes to sustain a good gallop.” Ninja was a $5 TAB chance, behind Jimmysstar ($4), which has gate 16, and Headwall ($4.20), which has barrier three. Berry hoped to gain a handy spot behind the likes of Marhoona, Coal Crusher and Caballus. “It’s a nice race for him,” he said. “Obviously he’s drawn a bit awkward, he’s going to need a bit of luck from there, but he’ll put himself on speed. It’s probably a worse gate for a horse like Jimmysstar, who is going to get back. He’s probably going to spot us a space. “The winner of the barrier draw was Headwall, but 1300 is a query for him, so drawing well was pretty pivotal for him. “We’ll definitely go forward.