Berkeley Square will progress to the Group 1 Victoria Derby, while runner-up Virtuous Circle will head to the spelling paddock, the fallout from Saturday’s Group II Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by Craig Williams for Dan O’Sullivan, Berkeley Square (Territories) kept up a strong gallop to defeat Virtuous Circle (Almanzor) by three-quarters of a length with a short-half-head back to the game Pericles (Street Boss) in third.
Coming off a close-up fourth in the Caulfield Guineas won by Golden Mile, Berkeley Square advances his record to four wins and a second from six starts with earnings of $740,150.
O’Sullivan said he has no worries about the 2020m and believes the 2500m of the Victoria Derby will be right up his alley.
“A really exciting race and he was tough to the line,” O’Sullivan said.
“I’ve thought that 2000 metres would be his minimum.
I’ll have a chat to Craig, and it will be interesting how much this race takes out of him. The track is drying out but if the run affected him then we wouldn’t go (to the Derby).”
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.
