TOMMY Berry appreciates his chances for back-to-back Magic Millions Classic victories will hinge on the performance of Driefontein at Doomben on Saturday.

Berry, who has never previously ridden in Brisbane, will partner Driefontein in a critical test in the BJ McLachlan Stakes and stablemate Kontiki Park in the Bernborough for Gai Waterhouse.

He was successful in the MM Classic last year on Karuta Queen and his composure under pressure was one of the key factors in an approach from Waterhouse to share the stable riding with Nash Rawiller.

Berry partnered Driefontein when the Fastnet Rock filly was a three lengths winner over 1000m on debut at Randwick on November 5.

Waterhouse eased Driefontein immediately after that victory and the filly has not appeared in a trial in her build-up to a return in the McLachlan just a fortnight before the MM Classic.

Berry said Driefontein had worked impressively at Randwick last Saturday.

"She wasn't out for long after the Randwick win and Gai was very happy with the way the filly pulled up after her hit-out on Saturday," he said.

Driefontein and Kontiki Park arrived in Brisbane on Monday and are stabled infield at Eagle Farm.

Kontiki Park raced on three successive Saturdays in Sydney, his last run being a second to Monton in the Villiers Stakes on December 17.

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