Cambridge horseman Ben Foote was left disappointed following Babylon Berlin’s head defeat to glamour mare Imperatriz in this year’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) and he is hoping she can go one better in the sprinting feature at Pukekohe on Monday.
The six-year-old mare has been a perennial bridesmaid at elite-level, finishing runner-up in her last three Group One outings, and has placed in the last two editions of the Railway.
Foote, who now trains in partnership with his son Ryan, is hoping for redemption in the 2024 edition of the Railway.
“The biggest disappointment for me was last year (in the Railway). I thought she had it in the bag and then Imperatriz just got up. That was disappointing when you think you are going to win,” Foote told TAB NZ.
“I am proud of what she has done but we still really want that Group One.”
Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) began her preparation in impressive fashion when winning the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa last month before just going down to Sacred Satono in the Gr.3 Counties Bowl (1100m).
She has subsequently had two pleasing trials and will have a two-kilogram weight advantage over Sacred Satono on Monday compared to a six-kilogram disparity last start.
“The win was a bonus first-up. Now we have screwed her down, she is in really good form, and she seems to thrive when she gets to that point when her fitness is right up,” Foote said.
“An eight-kilo turnaround is a hell of a lot, he is a good horse, but I am confident that my mare is going to be fitter. Bring on New Year’s Day.”
Sydney jockey Jason Collett is set to return to New Zealand to ride the mare on Monday and Foote is hoping his local knowledge will be a key factor in the race, with the expat Kiwi having grown up riding at the track.
“I have had an affiliation with Jason before and he is a top-class rider in Australia. He rung me and said he was keen to come over to ride her. He does know the track really well and I think he is a nice, kind rider that would suit her,” Foote said.
Ryan Foote is just as excited about Monday’s test and is looking forward to lining up his first horse in Group One company, having joined his father in a training partnership at the start of the season.
“It is really exciting for me to have my first Group One runner and for Ben to bring me into his operation and to trust me with all these nice horses we have,” he said.
“I get along really well with her (Babylon Berlin). It is just about finding that connection with them. I am always worried about her and just making sure everything is going the right way as going into a Group One is so big.
“It would mean a lot to both of us (to win the Railway), especially being able to do it together.”
Babylon Berlin is a $2.50 favourite for the Railway with TAB bookmakers, ahead of Maven Belle at $4 and Dragon Leap at $4.80.
