Liam Birchley plots Millions course
Brisbane trainer Liam Birchley is looking at options in two states as he negotiates the tricky path to qualify horses for the $2 million Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic.
Birchley has qualified at least one runner in the Classic for the past decade and has several two-year-olds on course for next month’s race at the Gold Coast.
While he is yet to win the Classic he has had several minor placegetters with his best result Paprika’s close second in 2009.
Sista Act led most of the way to win a QTIS Two-Year-Old race and picked up $12,000 prize money at the Sunshine Coast last week.
But Birchley realises that won’t be enough to get her into the field for the Classic on January 14.
“I don’t think winning a Saturday race in Brisbane will even be enough,” Birchley said.
“There are some stakes races in Brisbane but I might even slip down to Wyong for the Millions race later this month.”
“Sista Act has her share of pace and she would be suited by Wyong.”
The Wyong Magic Millions, to be run on December 22, has been a good guide to the Classic with recent winners Capitalist and Unencumbered both going on to win the big race.
The Birchley-trained Real Princess has earned $52,000 for a Doomben win and a Toowoomba second and should have enough to get into the Millions field.
“I was able to give her a break after her Doomben win. She probably has enough in prize money already but I want to make sure,” he said.
“She will probably come back in the Calaway Gal Stakes at Doomben in two weeks.”
Birchley is also trying to work out how to get Clairvue to the race with his prize money at $21,800 after a fourth at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
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