Trainer Dan O’Sullivan is considering nominating Berkeley Square for a Group 1 race at Caulfield but is likely to keep the in-form galloper for a lesser race at the same track later in the carnival.
The Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) on Saturday is a race O’Sullivan has in the back of his mind, however Berkeley Square is likely to run in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) four days later.
“I’ll throw a nom in and have a look, but I think the Coongy is the right option,” O’Sullivan said.
“It’s going to be two-and-a-half weeks from his last win and one of the main reasons for looking at the Might And Power is it does open the gap for the Geelong Cup or even the Moonee Valley Cup.
“There’s also a 2000-metre race at Moonee Valley, the JRA Cup, that he could go to.”
Berkeley Square has returned this campaign in arguably the best form of his career.
After finding the 1400m trip too short at Caulfield in August, Berkeley Square has registered victories at Flemington and Sandown in his past two starts.
“I didn’t think he would be winning again under 2000 metres, but he’s won two under 2000 metres so far this campaign,” O’Sullivan said.
“So, perhaps we keep doing what we’re doing, keeping fresh for the 2000 (metres) until he shows he’s different. We’ve been picking soft options, so I’d rather keep on doing that, but he’s had a great preparation so far.
“His first-up run was great and then two wins in different circumstances and he’s taken no harm from them.
“They don’t get any easier at this time of year and I’m thinking of dodging the internationals might be a softer way to go too.”
O’Sullivan said Berkeley Square was growing in confidence as the campaign goes on, but also wants to keep the winning run going.
He said there were plenty options besides the Geelong Cup (2400m), the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) and the JRA Plate (2040m), including the Bendigo Cup (2400m), the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) and even his hometown Cup, the Ballarat Cup (2000m) which carries $500,000 in prize money.
“I’ve been very keen to get him out to the 2400 metres again because I really believe that’s his go,” O’Sullivan said.
“We’ve only been to that distance once before, in the Derby, and for different reasons it hasn’t worked out since.
“Sometimes what I want to do and what’s the right thing for the horse are two different things, so I’ve got to work out where we go for his next start.”
O’Sullivan collected a Stakes win at Flemington on Saturday when Too Darn Discreet, which carries the same silks at Berkeley Square, was successful in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m).
