O’Reilly Cyrus is back in Brisbane from a long break in New Zealand and trainer Liam Birchley is hoping the filly can earn a start in the Group One Golden Rose.
She won her only Australian start at Doomben in December and Birchley then took her to New Zealand for the Karaka Million on January 24.
The filly wasn’t at her best and finished seventh after having a troubled run.
O’Reilly Cyrus will begin her Golden Rose campaign in Saturday’s Two-Year-Old (1050m) at Doomben.
Birchley decided to leave O’Reilly Cyrus in New Zealand to spell and she had a couple of months in the paddock before returning to Australia.
“It was very hot in Australia at the time and I didn’t want her to be knocked around with the travel,” Birchley said.
“She has done well since she has been back in work but the barrier (13) on Saturday is no help.”
Birchley said the 1400 metres of the Golden Rose over 1400m at Rosehill in September would be perfect for O’Reilly Cyrus.
“She has a fair way to go before we start talking seriously about Group One races but I have always had an opinion of her and we have been very patient,” he said.
O’Reilly Cyrus was ridden by top jockey Damien Browne in New Zealand but he can’t make her 54kg on Saturday and Paul Hammersley will ride.
The filly’s stablemate Beckham will probably tackle the Smirnoff Open (1350m) on Saturday despite barrier 12.
“There is nothing for him next week and he has shown he can lead or come from behind so we have a few options,” Birchley said.
He still hasn’t given up hope of getting a black type win for Beckham who is by Pins out of Group One winner Glamour Puss.
“Beckham is still an entire and he might still make a nice sire for up here,” Birchley said.
