O'Reilly
Talented filly O'Reilly Cyrus will take an important step towards a possible start in the Group 1 Golden Rose in Sydney next month when she steps out at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Liam Birchley has a good opinion of O'Reilly Cyrus but concedes the filly needs to make further improvement to warrant a trip away for the $1 million feature at Rosehill on September 10.
O'Reilly Cyrus made an impressive return when fifth to Rebel Miss over 1050 metres at Doomben a fortnight ago.
"It was a good run considering she had to go back from the gate," Birchley said.
"She had no room for a long time but she went to the line strongly.
"Her sectionals were very good."
Birchley is not fazed by a wide barrier 14 and is more concerned how the daughter of O'Reilly handles her first Eagle Farm start.
"The barrier is not a problem the way Eagle Farm has been racing lately. Most of the winners have been coming down the outside," he said.
O'Reilly Cyrus made an impressive debut winning at Doomben in December which earned her a trip to New Zealand for the Listed Karaka Million at Ellerslie last January.
However, O'Reilly Cyrus wasn't at her best and finished only seventh in the New Zealand feature.
Birchley believes O'Reilly Cyrus has a bright future and will be suited by 1400 metres in the Golden Rose.
"At this stage she's still on track for the Golden Rose but she needs to keep improving to warrant going away," he said.
"She's a developing type and she'll improve with every preparation."
Meanwhile Birchley is also hopeful of a strong performance from Hardline in the UBET Benchmark 55 Handicap (1200m).
"He's drawn a nice alley but again it will depend how the tracks plays," Birchley said.
"He's coming along well but he needs to start winning some more races."
Hardline won the Karaka Million last year but has placed only once in three starts this campaign when third at Doomben on June 8.
He beat only one runner home at his last appearance behind Smart Volatility in last month's Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton. -Racing Queensland
Trainer Liam Birchley has a good opinion of O'Reilly Cyrus but concedes the filly needs to make further improvement to warrant a trip away for the $1 million feature at Rosehill on September 10.
O'Reilly Cyrus made an impressive return when fifth to Rebel Miss over 1050 metres at Doomben a fortnight ago.
"It was a good run considering she had to go back from the gate," Birchley said.
"She had no room for a long time but she went to the line strongly.
"Her sectionals were very good."
Birchley is not fazed by a wide barrier 14 and is more concerned how the daughter of O'Reilly handles her first Eagle Farm start.
"The barrier is not a problem the way Eagle Farm has been racing lately. Most of the winners have been coming down the outside," he said.
O'Reilly Cyrus made an impressive debut winning at Doomben in December which earned her a trip to New Zealand for the Listed Karaka Million at Ellerslie last January.
However, O'Reilly Cyrus wasn't at her best and finished only seventh in the New Zealand feature.
Birchley believes O'Reilly Cyrus has a bright future and will be suited by 1400 metres in the Golden Rose.
"At this stage she's still on track for the Golden Rose but she needs to keep improving to warrant going away," he said.
"She's a developing type and she'll improve with every preparation."
Meanwhile Birchley is also hopeful of a strong performance from Hardline in the UBET Benchmark 55 Handicap (1200m).
"He's drawn a nice alley but again it will depend how the tracks plays," Birchley said.
"He's coming along well but he needs to start winning some more races."
Hardline won the Karaka Million last year but has placed only once in three starts this campaign when third at Doomben on June 8.
He beat only one runner home at his last appearance behind Smart Volatility in last month's Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton. -Racing Queensland