Birchley wary as Blueberry Hill resumes
Group Two-winning filly Blueberry Hill makes her long-awaited return to racing at Doomben with trainer Liam Birchley hoping her assignment isn’t too short.
Blueberry Hill won the Champagne Classic last year, and along with Brisbane Cup winner Jetset Lad, were the only locally trained Group Two winners at the carnival.
The filly has not run since finishing sixth to Press Statement in the Group One JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Doomben on June 6.
A series of setbacks has delayed Blueberry Hill’s return to racing and she had an easy trial when fourth at Deagon on March 1.
Birchley said he had given Blueberry Hill time to get over the trial and she was ready to run well on Saturday.
“We are claiming one-and-a-half kilos with James Orman to ride, she has won first-up before and she has got the perfect barrier in number two,” Birchley said.
“But if there is a worry it is the 1050 metres might be a bit short for her.”
Blueberry Hill is by far the best performed horse in Saturday’s race with $263,000 in prize money, five times more her nearest rival.
But Birchley pointed out there were several quality three-year-old fillies who would have race fitness on their side.
Birchley is waiting to map out a definite winter carnival program for Blueberry Hill.
“There is no doubt she is a class horse but we have to wait to see how she comes up this time,” he said.
Birchley has elected to run handy restricted-class sprinter Chariots Of Gold in open company in the QPOS Handicap (1350m).
“It wasn’t a matter of getting weight off his back but rather a lack of suitable races,” he said.
“This was about the only race for him for a month.”
Chariots Of Gold is one of five horses in the race who like to lead but Birchley believes he can be ridden off the pace.