Cosmic Endeavour Leads Late in Tiara Win
Description:
Ahead of a shift back to Australia, Hong Kong-based jockey Tommy Berry guided Cosmic Endeavour to victory in the Sky Racing Tattersall's Tiara—the nation's final group I race of the season—June 21 at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.
The favorite got a perfectly timed ride, with Berry moving the daughter of Northern Meteor from off the rail to rally on the final turn. Racing in behind the early leaders, she gamely charged through a gap entering the straight and reached the lead in the final 100 meters to prevail by a nose.
Fast-finishing runner-up Angel of Mercy and third-place finisher Avoid Lightning, prominent early, were stride for stride crossing the line in a photo for the placings.
Cosmic Endeavour was timed in 1:22.03 for 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) on track rated as dead to score a group I breakthrough. She won for the fifth time from 11 starts this season and tallied her sixth overall victory from 13 career starts for trainer Gai Waterhouse, who enjoyed her seventh top-level win of the season.
Berry guided Cosmic Endeavour in two previous group wins this season—the Dane Ripper Stakes (Aus-II) June 6 at Flemington in her previous outing and the Sapphire Stakes (Aus-II) April 19 at Randwick.
"She's a very tough filly who has had a long campaign but has kept improving every start," said Adrian Bott, racing manager for Gai Waterhouse.
Berry has had tremendous success in Asia this season but is retuning to Australia to be closer to his family following the April death of his brother and fellow jockey, Nathan.
Bred in Australia by Mrs. C. B. Remond, Cosmic Endeavour was an Aus$230,000 purchase for owners Don and Judy Kelly from Willow Park Stud's consignment at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale. Her dam is the stakes-winning Danehill mare Crevette, a full sister to Hong Kong champion sprinter and champion miler Fairy King Prawn and a half sister to Australian group I winner Easy Rocking.