Swift Dragon defied the betting ring expectations at $19 odds, powering to a commanding victory over race favourite Esperanza, while the unbeaten Rockhampton visitor Better Blitzem settled for third place.
Earlier this year, Birchley notched his third success in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) as Dream Roca claimed the $1 million prize at Ellerslie, and now his run of juvenile triumphs extended along Queensland’s Glitter Strip with Swift Dragon banking the $300,000 top cheque.
The offspring of lesser-known sire Dracarys had valid reasons for lacklustre runs prior to Saturday’s $500,000 highlight event, as Birchley pointed to an inconsistent Eagle Farm track, yet he bounced back strongly with regular jockey Ryan Wiggins aboard.
“His trial before he came back showed what he could do, but we just didn’t have any confidence in the track first-up,” said Birchley.
“These bigger horses don’t let down on those shifty tracks sometimes and last start it was much the same, but today was a different story. I got a bit worried when it started raining yesterday, but luckily they didn’t get too much. I had full confidence in the horse as long as the track was playing fair and we could get a crack at them.”
The program’s other highlight fell to Fabulantes, who upheld Robert Heathcote’s impressive history with the gelding’s lineage by surging away in the QTIS Jewel 3YO (1200m).
This full-brother to Heathcote’s Group 1 victor Startantes surpassed $500,000 in earnings across his 12 outings after securing a trio of metropolitan victories.
Jockey Daniel Moor feels the Star Turn gelding has potential for higher-grade clashes.
“He’s got a ripper turn of foot,” Moor said.
“He was brave when I needed him to be, he gave a really solid kick and it was quite a soft win in the end. I think he could measure up to better races.”
Call Da Vinci, the long-time frontrunner trained by Bevan Laming, took second, followed by Dragonne Rouge in third.
Explore the best Australian betting sites for QTIS Jewel 2YO markets at Australian betting sites.
