MM joust certain to be Berry close

Twins Nathan and Tommy Berry are competitive on the track and now they are even racing each other down the church aisle. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

NATHAN Berry is beating his twin brother to the altar - now he wants to win the race between them for Magic Millions glory.

The Berry boys clash in the glamour $2 million Gold Coast race tomorrow where Nathan rides Unencumbered and two-time winner Tommy partners Echo Gal.

The Magic Millions helped to launch Tommy's riding career three years ago - and now it could be Nathan's turn.

"If you have a look at Tom's career, it really started off with Karuta Queen's Magic Millions win (2011),'' Nathan said.

"That win basically got him the job with Gai and then he won three or four Group 1 races for her. This helped him get the job in Hong Kong and he won the Queen Elizabeth Cup. Suddenly everyone looks at him as an international jockey, then he wins the Singapore Cup.

"So, Karuta Queen has been the most important horse in Tom's life and probably made him as a jockey. I've been waiting for a horse like that - I hope it is Unencumbered.

"Everyone knows I have the ability but want to see me do it first and that is what I hope to do (tomorrow).'' Tommy's star might be on the rise - but so is Nathan's. Already 2013-14 has been a breakout season for him.

"Within six months, I've ridden three Group 3 winners and a (Wyong) Magic Millions winner,'' he said. "I had not won a Group race before that.''

Tommy and Nathan Berry ready for the Magic Millions on Saturday. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

Unencumbered, trained by Bjorn Baker, is the $3.80 TAB Fixed Odds favourite for the Magic Millions after impressive wins in feature lead-up races at Wyong and Doomben.

Tommy Berry knows what it takes to win the Magic Millions after back-to-back successes with Karuta Queen and Driefontein (2012) and he regards Unencumbered as clearly the one to beat.

Tommy's mount, Echo Gal, has fallen from favour for the big race since her poor run behind Unencumbered in the McLachlan Stakes last start.

But a string of impressive track gallops since has the Gai Waterhouse stable confident the filly can turn her form around.

"Mark Newnham rode her last Saturday and he said if you forget about last run, on her work she is almost unbeatable,'' Tommy said. "It's hard to believe she went so badly last run - she is much better than that.''

The barrier draw has been kind to Nathan with Unencumbered to start from three while Echo Gal has to come from 15.

Tommy Berry was looking for positives despite Echo Gal's wide draw. "The gate may not be such a bad thing,'' he said.

"She has brilliant speed but I don't want to be driving her too hard early. Hopefully we can settle with some cover.

"The draw suits Unencumbered. Nathan's horse is the one we all have to beat.''

Nathan said Unencumbered's favourable barrier gives him "plenty of options" on how to ride his colt.

Nathan Berry works Unencumbered ahead of tomorrow's Magic Millions carnival. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: News Limited

"I wasn't worried where I drew because he is so versatile, so easy to do anything with,'' Nathan said. "But the good barrier has eased the pressure a little. Instead of others tactically working against us we can work against them and have the race run how we want.

"The barriers determined a lot and after Invisible drew seven, that has made him the main danger. Invisible is with very good trainers in the Hawkes team and he would not be there if they didn't think his chances were warranted.

"Cyclone is probably my next pick, he was very good last start. I trialled him a couple of months ago and he gave me a great feel.''

Unencumbered has taken a similar path to the Magic Millions as Karuta Queen three years ago with both winning the feature race at Wyong a month before the Gold Coast race.

The difference is that Baker felt Unencumbered needed another run and the colt had his final tune-up in the McLachlan Stakes at Doomben, scoring narrowly but impressively to make it four wins from five starts. "He doesn't need to improve but I think he has,'' Nathan Berry said.

"After galloping him on Tuesday, I'm even more excited as he was bouncing around on the track and he took the corner on the Gold Coast very well.

"I think it is very vital that he has had a look at the Gold Coast. He's been up there for three weeks and galloped twice on the course proper. He doesn't have a look or a baulk at anything, he is very confident in himself and knows where he is going.''

Nathan Berry, 22, seems nerveless going into his first Magic Millions, and on the race favourite. It's a little different when he talks about his impending nuptials on February 2 with Whitney Schofield, the daughter of Glyn, Sydney's champion jockey.

Jockey Tommy Berry with fiancee Sharnee Nisbet after he proposed to her on New Year's Eve at Sydney Harbour. Source: News Limited

"Whitney has organised everything, including our honeymoon to Thailand,'' he said. Berry will get married just a few weeks after Tommy became engaged to Sharnee Nisbet on New Year's Eve.

"Tom and I were going to propose on the same day,'' Nathan revealed. "Then I changed my date and Tom changed his. He chose a later one, perhaps nerves kicked in.

"But I'm very happy for Tom and Sharnee - the four of us are great friends.''

Hong Kong might be calling Tommy Berry but for now he is excited for his brother's wedding early next month while starting to plan for his own.

"I couldn't have asked for a better start to the year,'' he said. "I got engaged and then with my first ride back, I rode a winner (Nayeli, Kensington Wednesday).

"The Magic Millions is a special raceday for me. Everyone says Flemington is their favourite and I suppose it is but Magic Millions day is not too far away for me.

"Every time I go up to the Gold Coast I have success. I've won two Magic Millions and then the Stayers Cup last year.

"Echo Gal is a definite chance and my other ride, Northern Glory is ready to run a big race in the (Magic Millions) Guineas.

"Northern Glory ran on really well last start, she chased home a good horse in Calming Influence last start.

"She hasn't got brilliant speed so it was very important to draw a good barrier (eight) so we can get the right run.''

Tommy Berry is focused on winning a third Magic Millions on Echo Gal tomorrow - but he could not begrudge his sibling success in the big race.

"If I can't win it, then I hope Nathan does,'' Tommy said.

"I'd love to see him win it. The Magic Millions got me off to a flyer and it might do the same for him.''

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