In the same Rosehill mounting yard on Golden Slipper day last year, many would have excused  Berry if he spat the dummy at life after a tribute was played to his late twin brother Nathan.

"He's always had racing first and now he looks at life differently," Berry's partner Sharnee Nisbet said. "Racing has always been his priority, but now he looks at it working for himself and our family.

"I've seen him smile since Nathan for the first time, actually being genuinely happy. Obviously he's still gutted and he will never be the same, but it's good to see him looking forward to something else."

The "something else"  didn't even bat an eyelid during his father's emotional win. Actually, he couldn't bat an eyelid because he didn't open them at all. He will be told about this day one day.

The story might start on a sombre note. Like how Berry, who walked the track two years ago before his first Golden Slipper win on Overreach with twin Nathan and returned to tell trainer Gai Waterhouse the fence was on fire, had to do it by himself this year.

His summation? Thankfully it was completely different, considering this year's winner Vancouver launched from a gate closer to Rosehill train station than the rail.

"I said you don't want to be anywhere closer than five off the fence because it wasn't like it was soft on the fence, but it was chewed out and worn," Berry said.

"Two years ago Nathan walked the track with me before the Slipper and I had to do it myself this year and that was hard. I just want to make sure no one forgets him and I don't think anyone will.

"I don't think I've got any tears left. I did it for him and I couldn't do it without him. Even though he's not here he's the biggest part of my life with my son Kaiden. The family's amazing, Gai has been amazing and I was on the best colt."

The best colt happened to knuckle down to beat the best filly in English, also from Gai Waterhouse's stable.

In fact, the biggest obstacle — and help in the form of Speak Fondly, which provided much needed cover in the three-wide line — to Berry's win came from within Tulloch Lodge.

And to a person they all converged on Berry afterwards. In between all that, he only  wanted to see one person. The little boy, not even two months old, sleeping like every little baby should, even after being good enough not to keep dad up the night before the big Slipper dance.

"I kept him quiet and let him have his sleep so he'd be ready for today," Nisbet joked. "He's not interested [in watching] at all."

Just maybe one day he will.