The closest jockey Tommy Berry normally comes to Fell Swoop is when he is sitting on the back of retired star sprinter Chautauqua.
But Berry is on board the Canberrra sprinter for the listed Absolut Stakes (1000 metres) at Flemington on Thursday and rates him as his best ride of Oaks Day – provided the seven-year-old gelding can return to his best.
Tommy Berry says Canberra’s Fell Swoop is his best ride on Oaks Day – if the gelding is back to his best.Credit:AAP
Berry won three consecutive TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Chautauqua, with Fell Swoop finishing second to him in 2016 and third in 2017 during that reign.
But with Chautauqua's much-publicised barrier problems leading to Australia's once best sprinter retiring, Berry now has a chance to ride Fell Swoop.
He said the Absolut would be one of the weakest fields Fell Swoop has taken on in recent times, given the gelding has been running in the TJ Smith the last three autumns.
"I've always had Chautauqua while Fell Swoop's been racing over the past four seasons and they're always going to clash in most races that they went in," Berry said.
"I've obviously raced against him plenty and watched him come up through the grades.
"He seems to race really well here in Melbourne. Melbourne is where he's performed at his best in the past, apart from his TJ Smiths [in Sydney].
"To finish as close as he did to Chautauqua a few years ago was a great effort. If he gets anywhere near that form I think he'll be hard to beat."
Canberra trainer Matthew Dale said the son of Not A Single Doubt was looking the best he has in a long time, but it was up to his stable star to now show that on the track.
It's a sentiment reflected by Berry, who rated Fell Swoop as his best chance on Oaks Day.
Berry also has Lucky Helmet in the benchmark 70 handicap (1700m), Live And Free in the benchmark 90 handicap (1800m) and Andaz in the Subzero Handicap (1400m) for greys on Thursday.
"Tomorrow, if he performs at his best, he's my best hope. I think he's the best horse in the race when he's at his best," Berry said.
"From talking to Matty and his staff they believe he's back to it. We'll know a lot more after tomorrow."
Linking up with Fell Swoop continues Berry's strong ties with the Canberra region.
Berry is married to Canberra jockey Kayla Nisbet's sister Sharnee, while he also had plenty of success on the back of Karuta Queen.
Karuta Queen, back when she was trained by Queanbeyan trainer Neville Layt, saluted in the Magic Millions Two-year-old Classic (1200m) in 2011, as well as the listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) and the group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m).
"Canberra's like my second home and I enjoy getting back there and riding their horses," Berry said.
"I've always had great support from Canberra trainers from when I started my apprenticeship until now.
"It always gives me a bit of a buzz when I'm riding their horses or being able to win on them, especially Matthew Dale's.
"Hopefully we can get the job done on Thursday."
While Fell Swoop is rated a $21 longshot behind favourite Super Cash ($3.90), it's not the only runner from the Canberra region in the race.
Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary has Lucy Rose ($34) running.
Lucy Rose has drawn barrier five, while Fell Swoop will jump from one.
Berry was unsure how the Flemington track would play on Thursday – whether the inside going might be a blessing or a burden, depending on how cut up the inner part of the track was on the third day of racing since Saturday.
But a fit again Fell Swoop might have the speed to get across to the good going on the outside if required.
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