Berry urges Hayes team to pay $44k to chase Derby dream with Storm Leopard

Ben, Will and DJ Hayes should ask Tommy Berry for a loan, so Tulloch Stakes winner Storm Leopard can take his place in the Australian Derby next Saturday.

The Hayes brothers opted not to pay up with Storm Leopard, thinking Adelaide was a more realistic goal for their stayer.

But the time-honoured Derby at Randwick won by legends of the Australian turf like Phar Lap, Tulloch, Kingston Town, Octagonal and It’s A Dundeel looms large.

A crack though will mean the team will have to pay a $44,000 late entry, encouraged after he was too strong for his rivals by a widening 1-3/4 lengths in the Tulloch.

 “I’ll offer to pay the late entry if they want,” Berry said.

 “He’s so clean winded, he’s a real stayer.”

“The team have done a great job with him, bringing him here in such great order. I only got on for the first time today so thanks to the Hayes boys for the opportunity and looking forward to hopefully riding him in the Derby.”

Storm Leopard an impressive winner of the Tulloch Stakes 🔴⚫

The favourite Arcora was pulled up at the halfway mark, we will provide an update when it comes to hand. @tommyberry21 @lindsayparkrace @MyRacehorseANZ pic.twitter.com/9d0DugAHvv

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 28, 2026

Storm Leopard is a $6 Derby chance behind Godolphin pair Green Spaces and Observer, which share favouritism at $3.50 and could challenge them for punters’ elect once he is confirmed in the field.

“We took him out of the noms, unfortunately, we were going to go to Adelaide,” Ben Hayes said. “But then we changed plans because he started to go so well.”

“It’ll be a good discussion to have, if he pulls up well it’s definitely something that will be considered [the Derby].”

Berry was even thinking about the Derby at the furlong marker.

“I tried to make it as easy as I could late because I’m hoping he’ll back up in the Derby,” he said.

“I would’ve loved to have something challenge him halfway down the straight because he felt like he was floating where he was.”

“I had enough looks to make it as soft as I could late just in case he had to back up.”