Trainer Liam Birchley has long earmarked the Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) for highly promising juvenile Dream Roca, and the daughter of El Roca took another step in the direction of the Ellerslie feature with a dominant win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Dream Roca finished runner-up on debut over 1000m in October and showed the benefit of raceday experience as she closed over the top of favourite Star Of Jamaica to score over the same course and distance by two lengths on Saturday.
“The fence was pretty hot that day on debut and the favourite drew inside us,” Birchley reflected.
“But with the race experience and being here before, she got the drop on them today, the way the race worked out and she was quite professional.
“She'll head over for the Karaka Millions. She's fully qualified now, but she'll probably have another run on the way there and hopefully we can draw a gate and give them some curry.”
Birchley said the filly’s relaxed demeanour will hold her in good stead.
“She's actually bred to run a mile and beyond, and let's hope she does. But it's good for a two-year-old to have that demeanour and not waste too much energy and save it all for when they need it,” he said.
The Sunshine Coast trainer has previously enjoyed successful raids to New Zealand, having prepared Hardline to win the Karaka Millions in 2015 and Sister Havana in 2010, while Sarge In Charge finished second for the stable in 2009.
Winning rider Ben Thompson was impressed with the improvement Dream Roca had derived from her debut run.
“With a two-year-old, that race experience can count for so much,” he said.
“I just thought taking natural benefit, albeit today looked a stronger contest of the unraced horses from the trials, she's still been here and done it.
“It always fills you with a lot of confidence riding a two-year-old for Liam Birchley and he’s got another nice one in his hands.”
Thompson was effusive when pressed as to whether he’d like to make the trip to New Zealand to ride the promising youngster.
“Absolutely. I’ll be there tomorrow to swim her if he needs.”
Dream Roca is now a $3.50 joint favourite for the January 24 contest with the Johno Benner-trained De Armas.
By Fastnet Rock’s Randwick Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) runner-up El Roca, Dream Roca was purchased by Birchley for $75,000 from the Westbury Stud draft at this year’s Karaka Yearling Sales.
The filly is out of the five-win Redwood mare Petrachor. – NZ Racing Desk
