The mother-son training duo will be in Sydney for the funeral on Tuesday – both Berry and his identical twin Tommy have ridden horses for the stable.

"The family have been in the forethoughts of everyone in racing and getting a win, albeit at Gundagai, definitely helps pick up the mood, but I think it's going to be a tough day for everyone on Tuesday," Jones said.

Al Ahmar was the beneficiary of a cracking pace with jockey Richard Bensley putting the seven-year-old gelding second-last and about six lengths behind the leader.

Asclepius, the $3.60 favourite, reared up in the gates and missed the jump by about six lengths and was never in the hunt as Al Ahmar scored a soft two-length win from Jo Jo Girl, with Olly I Am another two lengths away in third.

The favourite battled on to finish fourth as the frontrunners tired.

Jones is considering running Al Ahmar next Sunday in the Murrumbidgee Cup (1800m) at Wagga.

Initially he was looking towards the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m), but he thought it might be a bit too strong for the son of Al Maher.

With Bensley able to ease Al Ahmar down to the post, Jones felt he would be able to back-up with ease after revelling in the heavy track.

"The Wagga Cup might be pretty strong so we're going to back him up next weekend at the Murrumbidgee Cup at the same distance," he said.

"It seems his pet distance, 1800m, he gets it out very strong, but 2000m he just struggles a little bit."

Jones said his smart filly Just A Blur would go to Warwick Farm on Wednesday and resume her rivalry with Nick Olive's Without A Shadow in the benchmark 70 handicap (1600m).

Olive's Lord Of The Isles and Matthew Dale's Meticulously have also been nominated for the race.

Jones said Caprossa will resume from a break at Caulfield on Saturday and is being set for the Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on May 1.