Emotions will flow if Redicon can win the Highway

Tommy Berry will be aboard the two Group 1 favourites at Randwick on Saturday but winning the highway this week would top the lot.

Earlier this week, Neville ‘Nifty’ Layt died after a short battle with illness, aged 76.

Layt was the man that gave a young Sydney apprentice Tommy Berry his first big shot aboard flashy sprinting filly Karuta Queen.

“His support to leave me on Karuta Queen at a time when I was very wet behind the ears, very green myself, it’s something I’ve never forgotten,” Berry said.

“It was the biggest moment of his career as well and he left it in my hands when plenty of big name riders were trying to get on her.

“I’ll never forget when Gai Waterhouse offered me the job as stable rider for Tulloch Lodge.

Connections with Karuta Queen after winning the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2011. Photo: AAP Image/John Pryke.Source:AAP

“She said to me that she and Rob watched my ride on Karuta Queen in the Magic Millions and for a young kid under that sort of pressure to handle it as well as I did, she told me she thought I’d be a good fit for the stable.

“That shows that Neville did so much more for my career than just sticking by me with Karuta Queen.

“If I didn’t get the job at Gai’s would I have got the opportunities that came from that.

“Neville’s loyalty did so much more for my career than you could ever imagine and I’m forever grateful for that.”

Karuta Queen and Tommy Berry going through their paces at Canberra in a barrier trial.Source:News Limited

Berry, who recently ventured down to Queanbeyan to see his old mate will team up on Saturday with the veteran’s last ever runner – Redicon in the Vale Neville Layt Highway Class 3 Handicap (1200m).

Redicon, a four-year-old gelding by Deep Field, resumes from a spell with no public trial and is a $41 chance with TAB Fixed Odds.

“It’s hard to explain but if we manage to win it would feel as good as a Group 1 but it would mean more,” Berry said

“Group 1s are great but the meaning behind some wins mean so much more to me.

“It’s a bit like when I won the Nathan Berry medal.

“I’ve never saluted in a Highway but I’m pretty sure I would if we can win and circumstances allow.”

Originally published asHighway win would top Group 1 success on Saturday

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