There are none better at identifying a bargain yearling and turning it into a sales incentive race winner than Liam Birchley and fresh from his Karaka Million success with Dream Roca, he was at it again at the Gold Coast on Saturday with Swift Dragon.
A talented gelding by Snitzel stallion Dracarys, Swift Dragon was purchased by Birchley’s Bloodstock Solutions for $60,000 at the Magic Millions Capricornia Sale from the draft of Ellay Bloodstock.
He won on debut at Rockhampton last December and then was beaten 10 lengths at Eagle Farm at his next start behind Pembrey, who won the Group III ATC Magic Night at Rosehill today.
Fourth at his most recent run at Eagle Farm, Swift Dragon lined up in the $500,000 Aquis QTIS Jewel (1200m) at odds of 20-1, but belied the lack of interest from punters to score a length victory for Ryan Wiggins.
Liam Birchley was thrilled to get the win and quick to be forgiving of Swift Dragon’s previous two outings, which he put down to the Eagle Farm track.
"That was so good. We struck a couple of offish tracks at Eagle Farm, so we were happy to get the horse onto a better surface today. His trial before he came back showed what he could do, but we just didn't have any confidence in the track first-up because the rain made it so shifty,” he said.
“These bigger horses don't let down on those tracks sometimes. Last start it was much the same, but today was a different story.
"I got a bit worried when it started raining yesterday, but luckily they didn't get too much and it hasn't affected the track too badly. I had full confidence in the horse as long as the track was playing fair and we could get a crack at them."
"It's been a good year so far and long may it continue."
Swift Dragon has a big group of owners and with two wins from four starts has banked nearly $330,000 in prizemoney.
Swift Dragon is the first winner for Tay Swift, a winning Rothesay mare from stakes-winner Perfect Feeling.
Tay Swift is married to Oakwood Farm based Dracarys and has a yearling colt by him and was covered by him again last spring after missing the previous year.
From limited opportunities, Dracarys has sired 39 winners highlighted by two stakes-winners including the Hong Kong based Storm Rider, who is his only runner in that region.
Dracarys covered 65 mares last spring at a fee of $9,900, which was up on 37 the previous year.
.jpg)
