Berkeley Square will line up on Saturday chasing a slice of modern racing history, attempting to become just the second locally-trained runner in the past decade to claim consecutive Ballarat Cup victories. It is a task achieved only once in that span—by Kiwia, who famously won the 2018 edition over 2200 metres under Darren Weir before repeating the feat 12 months later when the race was shortened to 2000 metres and won under the care of Archie Alexander.
Now, hometown trainer Dan O’Sullivan hopes his stable star can replicate that rare achievement and deliver another thrilling chapter to one of Ballarat’s marquee racing events. Berkeley Square gave O’Sullivan his first hometown Cup triumph last year, a win that resonated beyond the stable and throughout the local racing community.
Reflecting on that milestone, O’Sullivan said the victory was never a season-long obsession, but rather an opportunity that emerged naturally as the horse continued to develop and thrive. “I would never say that it was a goal winning the race, although you always like to win any good race,” O’Sullivan said.
He recalled past near-misses that made last year’s result particularly meaningful. “We had Tuscan Fire nearly start favourite in it one year and then we just got beaten with Affair To Remember during the COVID year, so it really was a big buzz last year, and the horse deserved it.”
But the triumph carried even greater significance for jockey Jaylah Kennedy, whose connection with Berkeley Square added sentiment to the achievement. “Then you throw Jaylah (Kennedy) in the mix. She got back on him, it was her 100th career win and her first Listed win on her favourite horse in her own backyard,” O’Sullivan said. It was the type of story that epitomises the deep bonds within racing—a young jockey, a beloved horse, and a hometown Cup all aligning in a moment of shared celebration.
Zipping Classic Switch Alters Berkeley Square's Campaign
In an alternate universe—one where the racing calendar had been arranged differently—Berkeley Square may have been heading toward the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) once again. Last year, the gelding ran an admirable third in the Zipping before backing up seven days later to clinch the Ballarat Cup. The tight turnaround was bold, but it paid off in spectacular fashion.
However, the shift of the Zipping Classic from Sandown to Caulfield this year prompted a rethink. Caulfield has been no stranger to unpredictable track conditions in recent months, and O’Sullivan was wary of exposing Berkeley Square to another heavy surface. The gelding’s fifth-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on November 8 left its mark after the track deteriorated significantly during the meeting.
This time, O’Sullivan decided the risk wasn’t worth repeating. “As much as he has been effective on a wet track, his last run it was pretty wet, so I thought I would rather keep him for Ballarat,” he said.
Instead of a demanding 2400m run followed by a rapid seven-day backup, Berkeley Square enters this year’s Cup much fresher and arguably better placed to defend his title. “Four weeks between runs, back to the 2000 (metres), he’s freshened up nicely,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s nice and bright and we’re trying to go back-to-back.”
A Deep and Competitive Cup Field Looms
Berkeley Square is one of 29 nominations for this year’s Ballarat Cup, and the depth of the entries suggests a high-quality renewal. Among the likely challengers is South Australia’s Air Assault, who has built a reputation as a tough and consistent on-pacer. Eclipse Stakes winner Casino Seventeen looms as another key danger after his sharp performance last weekend, while his stablemate Kingswood adds further depth to the contenders.
Ciaron Maher’s Saint George also stands out as one of the more intriguing nominations. The gelding has shown flashes of staying brilliance and could prove a worthy competitor if conditions and tempo fall his way. The field—stacked with proven performers and progressive gallopers—sets the stage for a fiercely contested edition.
Kennedy’s Injury Delays Reunion With Berkeley Square
One notable absence this weekend will be jockey Jaylah Kennedy, whose breakthrough Listed victory on Berkeley Square last year remains one of the partnership’s most cherished memories. Kennedy continues to recover from knee surgery, and while the team would have warmly welcomed her return, O’Sullivan knows patience is essential.
“I spoke to her the other day, and it won’t be until January I would say,” he said when asked about her return timeline. “It’s one of those injuries you can’t come back too soon from. If you fall off, or twist the knee, you go back to where you were, so you have to be right.”
Her absence opens the door for another rider to step into the saddle for the feature, but the sentiment surrounding Kennedy’s eventual comeback ensures she remains firmly part of the ongoing story of Berkeley Square.
The Road Ahead
As Saturday approaches, O’Sullivan’s confidence is measured but optimistic. The gelding has been managed carefully, kept away from taxing tracks, and freshened with the specific aim of producing another peak performance at Ballarat. The task is substantial—winning any Cup twice is no small feat—but Berkeley Square has already proven he thrives on the big stage in his hometown.
With favourable conditions, a suitable distance, and a trainer whose belief in the horse has only grown stronger, Berkeley Square enters the 2024 Ballarat Cup not just as a defending champion, but as a compelling contender in one of the most competitive fields of recent years.
