Swift Dragon overcame his $19 betting price tag to deliver a dominant performance, outpacing favourite Esperanza with Rockhampton’s previously perfect Better Blitzem trailing in third.

This year, Birchley secured his third triumph in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) courtesy of Dream Roca’s victory in the $1 million race at Ellerslie, and his juvenile winning sequence advanced on Queensland’s Glitter Strip courtesy of Swift Dragon’s $300,000 payday.

The Dracarys colt had mitigating factors for his recent flat outings before Saturday’s $500,000 showpiece, according to Birchley who held the erratic Eagle Farm track responsible, though he returned to peak condition under jockey Ryan Wiggins.

“His trial before he came back showed what he could do, but we just didn’t have any confidence in the track first-up,” said Birchley.

“These bigger horses don’t let down on those shifty tracks sometimes and 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. I had full confidence in the horse as long as the track was playing fair and we could get a crack at them.”

On the undercard, Fabulantes prevailed in the featured event, bolstering Robert Heathcote’s outstanding record tied to the gelding’s pedigree with a powerful finish in the QTIS Jewel 3YO (1200m).

Having amassed over $500,000 from 12 career runs, this full-brother to Heathcote’s Group 1 star Startantes completed three successive city triumphs.

Daniel Moor, his rider, sees scope for the Star Turn progeny in tougher fields.

“He’s got a ripper turn of foot,” Moor said.

“He was brave when I needed him to be, he gave a really solid kick and it was quite a soft win in the end. I think he could measure up to better races.”

Trainer Bevan Laming’s front-runner Call Da Vinci was second, ahead of Dragonne Rouge in third.

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