Liam Birchley is confident he can reap of the benefits of his new rural property with another stakes win at the Sunshine Coast.
The Birchley-trained three-year-old Crack Me Up is among the favoured runners for Saturday’s Group Three Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m).
Birchley, who has been a regular in the Brisbane top 10 trainers for more than a decade from his base at Eagle Farm, has recently opened a rural complex, Archer Park, north of Brisbane where he can spell and pre-train his horses.
He said the property was starting to pay its way and he was excited about the future.
He had a quinella at Doomben on Wednesday with promising three-year-olds Fit For Purpose and Heart Skip A Beat.
“The good thing is the horses can race and then go to the property for a few days to freshen up before coming back to Eagle Farm,” Birchley said.
“They seem to enjoy it and respond well.”
Jockey Damian Browne’s decision to stick with Crack me Up has also boosted Birchley’s confidence for the Guineas (1600m).
Browne rode Crack Me Up when he stepped out against older horses and finished second to the Chris Waller-trained Religify in the Listed Wayne Wilson Memorial Stakes at Doomben three weeks ago.
“The form out of that race has stood up with Religify winning again in stakes company last week,” Birchley said.
Browne has won two of the past three Sunshine Coast Guineas on Hopfgarten (2014) and Tivaci (2016).
It adds to his reputation as an outstanding Sunshine Coast track rider.
“Damian is a top class rider anywhere but at the Sunshine Coast he is worth a few extra lengths,” Birchley said.
“Naturally he is chased by a lot of people for rides at the track. To have him stick with Crack Me Up is a boost.”
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Acatour was the TAB’s $3.70 favourite on race eve with My True Love from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable at $4.80 and Crack Me Up $5.50.
