LECK IS HAPPY WITH BERRY BLISS

Smart horse gives rookie trainer solid claims to a first feature win

- Michael Lee

Coronation Cup contender Berry Bliss was the main attraction kicking off the five barrier trials at Sungai Besi on Oct 29, but contrary to what some might have expected, he only ran third.

Granted, apprentice jockey Clyde Leck was not testing his mount at his fullest, but the Charm Spirit six-year-old was still expected to sweep past with nary a squeak from lesser rivals.

But, Revue (Low Kang Cheng) and Mega Ocean (Mohd Lukman), who locked horns for most of the trial, kept fighting it out when Berry Bliss stayed one-paced.

Revue, who, like all of former Macau-based trainer Ricky Choi's 17 horses, has yet to make his debut, beat Mega Ocean by a neck with Berry Bliss third on their girths.

However, Berry Bliss' trainer Joseph Leck was quick to assure there was nothing untoward with his second highest-rated ward (100, after Gamestonks, rated 113).

As a matter of fact, the young Singaporean trainer would have been scratching his head had Berry Bliss won trial No. 1.

"Berry Bliss doesn't show much in trials," said the nephew and former understudy to ex-Singapore champion trainer Charles Leck.