Story by Darcy Cosgriff – Racing.com
There is an undeniable element of a fairy tale about Jaylah Kennedy’s Listed Ballarat Cup win aboard Berkeley Square.
A late call-up, victory in her hometown Cup, and her first Stakes success coinciding with her 100th career win, on her favourite horse, trained by her master –could you script it?
“Honestly, I can’t believe it,” Kennedy said post-race.
“Condolences to Luke; he was meant to be aboard today and I’m just so thankful that I was given the opportunity to get on him today.
“I’m just so lucky to be in the position that I am, and this horse. This horse has taken me on such a journey over the spring.”
Indeed, he has – the apprentice has been aboard Dan O’Sullivan’s tough-as-nails galloper for all but one run this campaign (last Saturday’s Group 2 Sandown Classic), and the pair clocked up two metro victories along with three other placings.
Michael Dee was booked to ride last weekend, but was injured and Luke Nolen took his place, riding Berkeley Square to a gallant third placing from a long way back.
It was actually Nolen’s suggestion to back-up into the Ballarat, but after a horrific fall at Geelong on Thursday left him indisposed, Kennedy was next in line.
She only received this news on Friday – not long before O’Sullivan confirmed it on TV, in fact – but far from triggering any nerves, she was simply thrilled to reunite with Berkeley Square.
“Once I found he (Luke) wasn’t in such a great way, I thought there might be a chance I’d be able to get on him,” she said.
“It was a full-field and there weren’t too many options of jockeys, and obviously I’d ridden him all preparation.
“To tell the truth, I got the phone call saying I was on him about 10 minutes before Dan went on racing.com last night and told everybody.
“It was some pretty nice news, and I slept pretty well last night knowing I was on the right horse for today.”
The race itself worked out perfectly – though strung up between runners on the bend, Kennedy had Berkeley Square working through his gears, and took a narrow gap right at the top of the straight.
Globe ($10) and Lady In Pink ($12) looked to have stolen the $500,000 feature from the front, but Berkeley Square and Kennedy were sailing down the outside.
There was still plenty of work to do at the 150-metre mark, but the pair seemed almost destined to make up the ground required and did so with half a length to spare.
Berkeley Square ridden by Jaylah Kennedy wins the Sportsbet Ballarat Cup at Sportsbet-Ballarat Racecourse on December 07, 2024 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)
