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Liam Birchley has a near impeccable record in the Listed Karaka Million and he’s ready for yet another raid on New Zealand’s richest race.

The Eagle Farm trainer’s first crack at the race resulted in a second placing in 2009 with Sarge In Charge before he returned the following year to go one better with Sister Havana.

Birchley was back at Ellerslie 12 months ago to take the thick end of the stake with Hardline and on January 24 it will be up to the unbeaten O’Reilly Cyrus to defend the stable’s title.

“Ability-wise they are very close,” he said. “This filly has probably got a bit more scope and she should get a mile later on.”

A $100,000 purchase out of Waikato Stud’s 2015 Premier Sale line-up, O’Reilly Cyrus is a half-sister by the late O’Reilly to the stakes winner Savour The Moment, the black type performer Striptease and the multiple winner Seize The Moment.

Successful on debut at Doomben for owner Craig Cygler, the two-year-old is currently 10th in order of entry to the Karaka Million and won’t race again before she heads across the Tasman.

“With another run she might get a bit too dour so I’ll trial her next Tuesday at the Gold Coast,” Birchley said.

Expatriate Kiwi jockey Damian Browne, who won on Hardline a year ago, is likely to take the mount at Ellerslie.