Trainer Liam Birchley always has an eye to the future but the present is causing him the most concern with runners in two states on Saturday.
Birchley has talented mare Liesele lining up in the Hyundai Australia Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm while two-year-olds Snipzu and High Contagious have been entered for Randwick in Sydney.
Snipzu, an $80,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales, has drawn barrier 13 in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) while High Contagious, a $20,000 purchase at the same sales, will jump from gate eight in the Breeders Plate (1000m).
Both youngsters were due to leave Brisbane on Thursday night but Birchley will confer with the owners before confirming their trips because of Randwick’s slow track rating.
Birchley had no concerns with Liesele at Eagle Farm until light rain began falling on Thursday.
But the weather isn’t expected to impact on Liesele’s quest to maintain her unbeaten record this campaign.
The daughter of Exceed And Excel scored impressively in her comeback at Ipswich on September 14 and Birchley had no hesitation stepping her up to Saturday opposition.
Birchley has always had a good opinion of Liesele and aimed her for the winter carnival three-year-old races last campaign.
Liesele failed to win in her winter appearances with her best effort coming in the Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) at Eagle Farm when runner-up to Ready To Rip.
She produced another solid performance when ninth, beaten just over two lengths by Military Rose in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) in May.
Birchley still believes Liesele is capable of winning at black-type level and hasn’t ruled out an interstate trip.
“She’s improved further since she won at Ipswich first-up,” Birchley said.
“This looks a harder race and she was given topweight with 58 kilos.”
However, Liesele will come into the race well at the weights due to the three-kilogram claim from apprentice Priscilla Schmidt.
Birchley hasn’t looked at interstate programs for Liesele but will be ready to go if her form warrants a trip away.
“If she keeps improving I might look at taking her away somewhere but I haven’t looked at anything in particular yet,” he said.
“I’ve always had a good opinion of her and I’ve always believed she can develop into a black-type contender.”
Birchley had two significant reasons to accept with his two-year-olds in Sydney.
“The tracks have been a little too hard up here and any early prizemoney they can get will help qualify them for the Magic Millions in January,” he said.
AAP TURF
