Godolphin’s Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Territories (IRE) found it tough garnering support from breeders in five seasons of shuttling, but he looks to have a promising type in the 3yo Berkeley Square.
Sent off a short-priced favourite in Saturday’s VRC Member Damian Cubela Hcp (1400m), the Dan O’Sullivan-trained gelding got the job done in some style.
Given a positive ride by Craig Williams, Berkeley Square hit the line strongly to defeat the Per Incanto (USA) colt Castillian by two lengths and a half with the So You Think filly Proscenium Arch a nose back in third.
From her sire’s second crop of 46 live foals, Berkeley Square made a winning debut at Geelong in March before a luckless second to the promising Boogie Dancer (Sooboog) in the VOBIS Gold Ingot at Caulfield.
Dan O’Sullivan said he hopes the son of Territories can measure up to a Caulfield Guineas or Victoria Derby.
“I’ll have a good chat to Craig. There is a Listed race here in four weeks and we would like to get him to the Caulfield Guineas,” O’Sullivan said.
“Whether that is going to be a bit too sharp for him, and it’s a fair way away.
“There is a nice race for him in early November or late October (VRC Derby) we can have a look at.”
A homebred for David Peacock and partners, Berkeley Square is a half-brother to Group III ATC Frank Packer Plate winner and Group 1 BTC Queensland Derby runner-up Senor Toba (Toronado), out of the Teofilo (IRE) mare Bahamas.
Placed in the SAJC Schweppes Oaks and Group III South Australia Fillies Classic, Bahamas is a half-sister to Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes winner and Group 1 SAJC Australasian Oaks third Affair To Remember (Toronado) and stakes-placed Exodus (Bernardini).
Bahamas has a 2yo filly by Frosted (USA) named Another You and a weanling colt by Harry Angel (IRE).
The daughter of Teofilo (IRE) was covered by Blue Point (IRE) last spring.
