Queenslander secures New Zealand millions
|
Sister Havana trainer Liam Birchley (Noel Pascoe photo)
|
Eagle Farm trainer Liam Birchley has brought home a million dollar race, all the way across the Tasman Sea.
Birchley’s charge Sister Havana (NZ) returned to New Zealand to take the Listed Karaka Million 1200m at Ellerslie racecourse on Sunday, January 31.
Heading into the race the two-year-old filly had $10,000 in earnings to her name but can now boast $870,500 for her eight owners.
Top Queensland jockey Stathi Katsidis was onboard for the ride in New Zealand and orchestrated a stealthy run in the straight to secure the win by a length and three quarters.
“Everything went right to plan which rarely happens in this game,” said Birchley. “She travelled well over there, she worked well leading into it, had no problems, and came up with barrier one which is a huge advantage in any big race.
“Stathi rode it accordingly and finished up getting a lovely trail. He got the gap when he needed it, and it all went to plan.
“You sort of expect it when they draw that well, but at the same time you need your share of luck too, so it was an extremely good ride, even though he did get a nice run in transit.”
Birchley started the General Nediym filly, out of Ultima Vita, with an unsuccessful crack at a Listed Sydney race in October last year before returning to the track in early January.
Here she produced a strong three and three quarter length victory at Doomben before placing fourth at Eagle Farm a fortnight later.
The trainer said it was exciting for Queenslanders to nab the victory. “It’s something different than sort of going into your own backyard. It’s a bit more a challenge I suppose…especially because we had to travel to Sydney first before we could get on a plane, which made it a little bit more difficult,” he said.
“I’ve got some really good people around me that supported us very well.
“It’s more of a team effort than anything else winning these sort of races so I’m just really happy that it came off.”
The win was all the more satisfying for Birchley after he achieved an unsuccessful second with Sarge in Charge in the race last year.
“We drew a lot better this year and it made all the difference,” he said. “The good barriers really help you in those sort of races. When barrier one came out I was very confident then.”
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – February 1
|
