The talent isn’t the problem: Berry’s concern for Berzelius

Tommy Berry believes two-year-old Berzelius has Group 1 class but might not have the right attitude for it to come in Saturday’s JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm.

The BRC Sires Produce Stakes winner is a $5.50 JJ chance but remains a raw, uncut diamond from super stallion Extreme Choice, with two wins from three starts.

“I think as a three-year-old he is going to be even better because he will mature,” Berry said. “He just wants to do things his way at the moment. He switches on and off in races and when we hit the front in the Sires he thought it was over.

“So he is still learning how to race. There is no doubt about his class or the trip in my mind, but it is his focus and attitude that is my main concern.”

Berzelius has drawn beautifully in gate five which should give Berry the opportunity to take up a postition without much trouble.

“The draw was important for him, now he should get the right run, but to win a Group 1 the horse needs to get it right,” Berry said. “He certainly has the class, so shouldn’t be underestimated but does he have the polish right now?”

Berry will reunite with Transatlantic in the Stradbroke and faces a tougher task from the wide draw of 18.

After being close up in the Victory Stakes and Kingsford Smith Cup, where he was fifth 1-1/4 lengths from Headley Grange, Transatlantic is third-up a point of the preparation he won the Toorak Handicap in the spring.

Berry was on the five-year-old after his Group 1 success when he was Five Diamonds runner-up from the outside draw last year and believes the pressure of the Stradbroke could help him find the right run.

“I looked at the race and there is plenty of speed but no real leader,” Berry said. “There is always pressure in Stradbroke, so I’m hoping we can get in with a back to follow, which will really help him.

“He is going to be strong at the end of 1400m having won at group 1 at a mile, and the two runs have him at his peak.

“IF we get the right run, will finishing hard.”