Fireburn has stamped herself as the season’s dominant two-year-old, capping her rise with breathtaking wins in the Golden Slipper (1200m) and Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and she is an odds-on favourite to add the Champagne Stakes (1600m) to her already bulging resume.
After finishing runner-up to the Gary Portelli-trained filly in the Sweet Embrace Stakes, She’s Extreme has finished seventh behind Fireburn in the Slipper and second in the Sires’ Produce and Berry says his mount probably needs her opponent to come up short if she is to win.
“I think the only way we can beat her is if she doesn’t run the mile,” Berry said.
“It’s a new pain barrier, 1600 metres for these two-year-olds, and obviously Fireburn looks by the far the standout two-year-old of the season so far.
“But once you get to the mile, those brilliant horses can struggle at it.
“That’s what I’ve got to hope for because if she runs the mile out it is probably game over.”
She’s Extreme does have stamina in her pedigree, her dam Keysbrook a winner up to 2100m and a placegetter in the 2015 WATC Derby (2400m).
Berry said she felt strong to the line over 1400m last start and he doesn’t expect her to have any issue handling a rise in journey.
“She held her ground the whole way to the line (in the Sires’ Produce), which is a good sign so I’m very confident she will run the mile,” he said.
History indicates a triple crown clean-sweep is no easy task with only six horses managing the feat and only one of them a filly – Burst in 1992.
However, not many horses have attempted it.
Sebring fell short when he was narrowly defeated by Samantha Miss as an odds-on favourite in the 2008 Champagne Stakes while Merlene took out the first two races but didn’t contest the final leg.