Birchley eyes first Group 1 with Atkins duo

By Glenn Davis

Has Liam Birchley's time finally arrived to claim his maiden Group 1?

That's the question that will be answered when Birchley launches a two-pronged attack on the J.J. Atkins at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Karaka Millions champion Dream Roca will spearhead Birchley’s charge in the 1600 metre feature and will be supported by stablemate Vanzadee.

Neither is prominent in early markets for the J.J. Atkins, with Dream Roca at $41 and Vanzadee a $151 chance behind $2.20 favourite Tron Bolt.

Tron Bolt is one of three runners from the Chris Waller stable.

“I’m yet to win a Group 1, but I’ve gone close a number of times,” Birchley said.

“I’ve won a few Group 2 and Group 3 races over the years and I recall Sir Breakfast was placed in this race a long time ago (in 2002).”

Birchley is widely regarded as one of the best trainers of juveniles in Queensland, which has seen him claim New Zealand’s Karaka Millions three times and this year’s QTIS Jewel Final with Swift Dragon.

He claimed his first Karaka Millions with Sister Havana in 2010 and with Hardline in 2015 before Dream Roca’s victory this year.

Birchley hasn’t looked too deep into studying his opposition for the J.J. Atkins, but believes the markets may have got it wrong with his pair as he has a slight leaning to Vanzadee.

Vanzadee is backing up a week after she finished eighth in the Listed The Show A Heart, while Dream Roca is coming off a last start 11th in the Group 2 Sires' Produce at Eagle Farm last month.

“I know Vanzadee will get the trip on her breeding, so I probably lean to her whereas I’m not as sure with Dream Roca,” Birchley said.

“Vanzadee drew wide last start and had to drop back to last and she ran the fastest sectional in the race.

“She’s bred to run 1600 metres and is definitely a chance.”

Dream Roca will be ridden by his Karaka Millions-winning jockey Ben Thompson while Jason Collett has replaced Craig Williams on Vanzadee.

A daughter of El Roca, Dream Roca was twice placed in Listed races in the Dalrello and Spirit Of Boom Classic before her Sires' Produce defeat.

“She didn’t get a lot of room in the Sires’, so hopefully they’ll spread out more over the mile,” Birchley said.

“She’s never raced on a heavy track, but both of them will like a wet track.”

Birchley has a well-documented history of purchasing top quality yearlings at sales and bought Dream Roca at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales.

She is another example of Birchley having a good eye for young horses in the sale ring.

“I buy my horses on type and she was a nice-looking filly when she went through the ring,” he said.