Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby on the Radar for Berkeley Square

Mark Smith - Saturday August 6

Godolphin’s Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Territories (IRE) found it tough garnering support from breeders in five seasons of shuttling, but he looks to have a promising type in the 3yo Berkeley Square.

Berkeley Square low flying (image Grant Courtney)

Sent off a short-priced favourite in Saturday’s VRC Member Damian Cubela Hcp (1400m), the Dan O’Sullivan-trained gelding got the job done in some style.

Given a positive ride by Craig Williams, Berkeley Square hit the line strongly to defeat the Per Incanto (USA) colt Castillian by two lengths and a half with the So You Think filly Proscenium Arch a nose back in third.

From her sire’s second crop of 46 live foals, Berkeley Square made a winning debut at Geelong in March before a luckless second to the promising Boogie Dancer (Sooboog) in the VOBIS Gold Ingot at Caulfield.

Dan O’Sullivan said he hopes the son of Territories can measure up to a Caulfield Guineas or Victoria Derby.

“I’ll have a good chat to Craig. There is a Listed race here in four weeks and we would like to get him to the Caulfield Guineas,” O’Sullivan said.

“Whether that is going to be a bit too sharp for him, and it’s a fair way away.

Advertisement

“There is a nice race for him in early November or late October (VRC Derby) we can have a look at.”  

Big horse with a big future (image Grant Courtney)

A homebred for David Peacock and partners, Berkeley Square is a half-brother to Group III ATC Frank Packer Plate winner and Group 1 BTC Queensland Derby runner-up Senor Toba (Toronado), out of the Teofilo (IRE) mare Bahamas.

Placed in the SAJC Schweppes Oaks and Group III South Australia Fillies Classic, Bahamas is a half-sister to Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes winner and Group 1 SAJC Australasian Oaks third Affair To Remember (Toronado) and stakes-placed Exodus (Bernardini).

Bahamas has a 2yo filly by Frosted (USA) named Another You and a weanling colt by Harry Angel (IRE).

The daughter of Teofilo (IRE) was covered by Blue Point (IRE) last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Vrc Member Damian Cubela-Bm70 1410m

Flemington Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:25.36
1
Berkeley Square
- 3g Territories (IRE) x Bahamas (AUS) (Teofilo (IRE))
Tnr: Dan O'Sullivan Rdr: Craig Williams 59
2
1.8
Castillian
- 3c Per Incanto (USA) x Anaween (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 58
NZB Ready To Run Sale $270,000
Seller: Kilgravin Lodge
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis CNZM / Ozzie Kheir / Group 1 Bloodstock / Bruce Perry Bloodstock
NZB Karaka Book 1 $0
Seller: Little Avondale Stud
Buyer: Withdrawn
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Little Avondale Stud, Masterton, NZ
Buyer: Withdrawn
3
1.9
Proscenium Arch
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x It's Our Showtime (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 57.5
4
5.8
Blakmax
- 3c Brazen Beau (AUS) x Maxie's Blue Girl (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
5
6.0
Cusack
- 3c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Belle Que (AUS) (Street Hero (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Melham 59.5
6
7.5
Palaggio
- 3g Caravaggio (USA) x Rocket Commander (AUS) (Court Command (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ms L J Meech 58
7
8.0
Water Bomber
- 3g Headwater (AUS) x Regal Tier (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: D Moor 58
8
20.0
Taut You Could
- 3g O'Lonhro (AUS) x Taut (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Damian Lane 59.5
More Reading...
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
Stars on Show at Caulfield Spring Opener
The 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival officially bursts out of the gates this Saturday with the Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener, headlined by the first Group 1 of the season, the $750,000 Stow Storage Memsie Stakes.
Territories Son Berkeley Square on Track for Caulfield Guineas
We nominated Berkeley Square as a leading contender for the Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby early on and have no reason to change our mind after the son of Territories (IRE) opened his stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 29
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Berkeley Square Stays on Track for Victoria Derby
Berkeley Square will progress to the Group 1 Victoria Derby, while runner-up Virtuous Circle will head to the spelling paddock, the fallout from Saturday’s Group II Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.