Lady trying to emulate family Derby Day exploits

Berkshire Lady will be out to emulate her mother and father at tomorrow's Derby Day meeting at Flemington.

In 2010, trainer Danny O'Brien saddled up maiden filly Placement, pictured, in the 2000m Group 2 Wakeful Stakes and the daughter of Savabeel ran the race of her life only being passed by champion filly Brazilian Pulse.

Tomorrow, maiden filly and daughter of Placement, Berkshire Lady will line up in the Wakeful Stakes at 100-1 in just her fourth race start.

"She has been racing well, but this is a huge step up in grade," O'Brien said.

O'Brien is no stranger to saddling up a long shot in the three-year-fillies feature with Toffee Nose, at just her fourth start, running a close fourth last year at 100-1 with Craig Williams on board and the champion hoop will partner Berkshire Lady tomorrow.

"Craig rode Toffee Nose very well last year, and hopefully he can give Berkshire Lady a good run tomorrow as she will appreciate getting out to 2000m for the first time."

Berkshire Lady's sire Star Witness also strutted his stuff on Derby Day 2010, albeit over a much shorter trip.

"The day holds fond memories for the stable as aside from Placement's black-type performance, Star Witness cemented his place at stud by proving too good in the Coolmore Stud Stakes," O'Brien said.

"It certainly would make a terrific story if Berkshire Lady was able to figure in the finish on Derby Day given the exploits of both her parents back in 2010."

After her Wakeful placing O'Brien backed up Placement in the Crown Oaks on the Thursday to finish third behind Brazilian Pulse again and stablemate Shamrocker.

"She certainly had a good week, however Berkshire Lady would want to ran extremely well for us to consider taking on Aloisia and Pinot in the Oaks," O'Brien said.

Photo of Placement by Slickpix