Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is no stranger to success in the richest two-year-old race in New Zealand, the $1million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and he is hoping to replicate the winning feeling next weekend as he prepares to line-up a pair of quality fillies in the Ellerslie dash for cash.
Birchley produced Sister Havana (NZ) (General Nediym) to win the 2010 edition of the event and followed that up again in 2015 with Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing) after first finishing second with Sarge In Charge (NZ) (Golan) in 2009.
His 2026 contenders are El Roca filly Dream Roca (NZ) (El Roca), a $75,000 purchase from the Westbury Stud Book 2 draft at Karaka last year along with Vanbrugh filly Vanzadee (NZ) (Vanbrugh), who he secured for $26,000 from the HGT Bloodstock Ltd draft in the same sale session.
Both fillies won their last starts to secure their passage to Ellerslie, with Birchley finding it hard to split them on their latest work, which included a 1200m jumpout at the Sunshine Coast a week ago.
“I don’t make a point of targeting this race for horses I buy from the Karaka Yearling Sale, preferring to train them the same and hope they put their hands up to take the opportunity and both of these fillies have done just that,” Birchley said.
“With what they have shown me I am delighted I can bring them both to New Zealand and I think they will be pretty competitive.
“We’ve ticked them along at home over Christmas with time on the water walker and the like and then gave them a hit out at the Sunshine Coast recently.
“They went over 1200m and blew the cobwebs out which is exactly what I wanted. They were both pretty keen and kept up a good gallop so I’m delighted with them.
“Funnily enough if you look at their pedigree on paper neither filly stands out as a sprinting type with Dream Roca out of a Redwood mare which suggests she will enjoy getting out past 1200m and Vanzadee is a Vanbrugh filly who should also be looking for more ground.
“As it turns out they both have very good early speed, which is crucial for a two-year-old, and can maintain a strong gallop which will suit this race which tends to be won by horses that are strong in the closing stages.”
Adding to Birchley’s confidence in his pair are the results from the beaten brigade they mastered during their race wins.
“Vanzadee was fourth first-up but had a few issues with her tongue during the race so we put the tongue tie on and that worked the oracle in her next run,” he said.
“She actually beat Double Cool that day and that filly stormed home for fourth in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast yesterday which is an excellent form reference.
“Dream Roca also beat some handy types at Eagle Farm including Rarotonga who had won the race Vanzadee finished fourth in, so the form definitely stacks up.”
Birchley will arrive in New Zealand on Sunday afternoon (18th January), as will his two runners, and has a busy week and a half ahead of him.
“I get in on Sunday afternoon and the horses won’t be far behind,” he said.
“I have them set to go to Ellerslie on Tuesday for the open trackwork session so they can get a good look around and then it will be fingers crossed for the barrier draw on Wednesday morning.
“I’m hoping they can draw inside as the first 400m of the race can be pretty hectic and you can get on the back foot from a wide draw pretty quickly.
“After that you just want some luck in running and hope they are up to the task.”
While Birchley will be focussed on his two runners he also has a major role in looking after a massive group of owners that are making the trip from Australia for the race as well as spending time at Karaka for the 100th edition of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale series that kicks off on Sunday 25 January.
“I love this week as it is such a good experience for everyone who comes to Karaka as New Zealand Bloodstock do a fabulous job,” he said.
“It lets me show clients what goes on behind the scenes in obtaining a horse and I know so many of the people who have come across with me in the past have had a great time and keep coming back.
“There are 40-something owners in Vanzadee, including my sister Colleen, and most of them are coming, while you will probably recognise several names involved with Dream Roca including Mark Baker from Hallmark Stud and Cameron George who used to be the Chief Executive at Ellerslie.
“Cameron has quite a few friends and family in the horse so that is another big group who will be on-course and if we manage to get a win, the place will be rocking for sure.”