Tommy Berry believes Ninja has come back sharper as he tries to make an Everest statement first-up in open company on Saturday in a tougher-than-expected Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Berry is chasing a first win in the Everest, while Randwick trainer Michael Freedman is trying to secure a maiden runner in the $20 million showpiece on his home track.

With 10 weeks until the richest race on turf, there has yet to be a challenger confirmed to take on defending champion and $1.50 favourite Ka Ying Rising, and Ninja, at least in betting markets, shapes as Freedman’s best hope to grab a slot-holder’s attention.

A win on Saturday over the Everest trip in the group 2 will do that, given the strength of the small field. Angel Capital, which also sits at $15 in the TAB Everest market, leads the charge at $2.60, from Gangsta Granny ($3.80) and Ninja ($3.90). Napoleonic ($6.50) is also first-up, while hard-fit Midnight Dynamite ($9) is coming off two listed-level wins.

“It usually doesn’t come up as strong, being so early, but it’s a good kicking off point for a few,” Berry said of the race, which was abandoned last year when washed out.

Ninja was a close third to Grafterburners in the Magic Millions Pierata Plate over 1200m first up last preparation before dominating in the Vo Rogue Plate at 1300m. After a luckless second in the MM Guineas (1400m), he beat Napoleonic and Autumn Boy in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill before fading when fifth in the Randwick Guineas over the mile.

Berry believed Ninja was shaping up well to fire at 1200m on Saturday and beyond.

“He’s had two nice trials, but pretty soft trials,” he said.

“We want to keep the speed in his legs for 1200 and, talking with Michael, probably 1200 to 1400 is where he’ll probably stay at this preparation.

“I think he might just have too much speed for a mile, and he’s got that high cruise speed that he likes.

“But in saying that, he’s come back sharper once again this preparation, which suggests to us that 1200-1400 is probably where he’s best at the moment.

“I guess if he proves to us that he’s sharp enough for 1200, everyone dreams of the Everest.

“There’s a lot of horses that have got to step up this preparation and he’s got to prove himself against the old horses, and he’ll get his chance on the weekend.”

Freedman was keeping an open mind about Ninja’s campaign.

“He’s a four-year-old gelding now and there’s plenty of options with him, so I guess we’ll get a better guide after Saturday,” he said.

“He ran first up at 1200 last campaign and was probably a bit unlucky up in Brisbane, so I think it’s a nice starting point for him.

“At this stage, we probably wouldn’t be looking to stretch him much beyond 1400.”

As for the Everest, Freedman said he was yet to gain interest from slot-holders, but he hoped Ninja, Apocalyptic and dual group 1 winner at 1200m Marhoona could push their claims.

“It would be nice to have a runner,” he said.

“It’s probably way too soon [for slot-holders]. I think most people would be wanting to weigh things up and see how they come back. That’s what I’d do if I had a slot.”

Freedman also has Magenta Skies (race three) and Mareth (nine) returning on Saturday. Both were $5 chances. Mareth has twice finished second at listed level, while Magenta Skies is back from surgery to remove a bone chip in her knee. She last raced when seventh in the group 1 Flight Stakes in October.

“Mareth seems in good order so hopefully she can play around the edges in some of these mares races during the spring,” Freedman said.

Berry, meanwhile, was looking to Rose Aye (race nine) and Le Troisir (four), both $5, as other winning chances.

Chris Waller-trained Le Troisir was a last-start winner at the same distance, while Berry was aboard Matt Dale-prepared Rose Aye when she won a Rosehill Highway by more than seven lengths in February.

“She will obviously head towards the country championships, so this is a starting point,” he said of Rose Aye.

“She was really good at Rosehill when she won a couple starts back and the team’s very happy with her. She’s drawn poorly on the weekend, so we’re going to have to come up with a plan.

“Le Troisir is fit and he’s proven at the distance. That was soft ground last time, so he’s got to do it back on top of the ground. But he’s in at the right time of year.”