Berkeley Square begins spring campaign early

The expression 'everyone would love a horse like this in their yard' can apply to many runners but one who that certainly applies to is Berkeley Square.

The one-time Victoria Derby favourite is once again on a path to Victorian springtime staying features and it all begins on Saturday in the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m).

In his past 13 starts, the now five-year-old only missed finishing in the placings on only three occasions with victory in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) crowning his wins over that time.

Placings in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m), Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) and the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) all among his achievements in 2024.

Conditions did not go to plan for the gelding in his one run in 2025 at Flemington in February but a spell since has made all the difference for a return with other aims to come.

"He had a good break," trainer Dan O'Sullivan said.

"We'll look to do what we did last year but with his rating above 100 now we might be looking at races like the Heatherlie Handicap, the Coongy and the Bendigo and Ballarat Cups again."

Though the mile trip of Saturday's race may be short of Berkeley Square's future engagements, the gelding has still notched wins over distances less than that in his eight wins and as many placings in 27 starts.

"Barrier one isn't ideal but the horse is going well and he loves Flemington and the mile.

"It might be short of distance but he has come back very, very well."

Berkeley Square is at $51 for the Winter Championship and on consistency may not be one to leave out.

The Kevin Daffy-trained Oh Too Good, who is shooting for two wins in succession at Flemington is the $2.80 favourite.