Racing: Tommy Berry on top as potential stars break through at Newcastle

Berry produced a well-timed run on the John O'Shea-trained Bizou to win the class 1 fillies and mares handicap (1500m) before controlling the tempo up front on Jet Propulsion (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace) in a one-length victory in the 1300m maiden plate.

Another star Sydney-based jockey, James McDonald, was aboard debutant Chris Waller-trained winner Bucharest.

The three-year-old colt, a son of champion Japanese sire Deep Impact and five-time group 1 winner Miss Finland, sat outside the lead before holding off stablemate Zarzou in the 1500m maiden.

Despite his pedigree, Bucharest, part-owned by prominent broadcaster Alan Jones, paid $4.80 for the victory after quiet trials.

"He was certainly different from his trial," Waller stable foreperson Clare Heuston told Sky Thoroughbred Central. "He was very relaxed in his trial but today he jumped with the field and James was able to get him to settle into a nice rhythm."

It was also a strong meeting for the locals, headlined by the Paul Perry-trained Sky Lab. A $1.30 favourite in the 1875m maiden plate, Sky Lab did not disappoint. The three-year-old gelding travelled midfield on the fence before apprentice Tom Sherry gave him time and space to score a two-length win, easing up on the line.

The victory came at his fourth start and after a close second at Gosford over 1600m.

"He's a big grinder," Perry stable foreman Nathan Perry said. "You've got to get him out and get him rolling, but he kept going to the line, so it's good.

"I think the more he does, the more you'll see him improve. Even when he got to the front, he half looked around, so more racing and maybe six months away, he could be a nice stayer."

Newcastle trainers Kris Lees and Mark Minervini also had wins on the program with Miss Canada and Super respectively.

Miss Canada, a three-year-old filly, won at her fifth start, taking out the 900m maiden with Andrew Gibbons aboard. She raced outside leader Pounce before taking over in the last 200m and narrowly holding off Wuddacuddashudda.

"That wasn't ideal, sitting outside the leader, and she was probably a little vulnerable late, but it was a good, tough win," Lees said.

"And she's still got some maturing to do. She's adaptable. She could be ridden off the speed in the right kind of race so there's still plenty of upside with her."

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