Vietnam did enough to convince trainer Liam Birchley she was up to a Sydney autumn campaign despite her defeat at Eagle Farm.Vietnam, having only her second start since failing in the Group One Winter Stakes (1500m) at Eagle Farm last June, finished solidly to go down by 1-1/4 lengths to seven-year-old outsider Watchyerback in Saturday's Thiess Handicap (1300m).Birchley had planned to be in Sydney for Saturday's Group One Coolmore Stakes at Rosehill but decided to remain at home when he could no

Vietnam did enough to convince trainer Liam Birchley she was up to a Sydney autumn campaign despite her defeat at Eagle Farm.

Vietnam, having only her second start since failing in the Group One Winter Stakes (1500m) at Eagle Farm last June, finished solidly to go down by 1-1/4 lengths to seven-year-old outsider Watchyerback in Saturday's Thiess Handicap (1300m).

Birchley had planned to be in Sydney for Saturday's Group One Coolmore Stakes at Rosehill but decided to remain at home when he could not find a suitable rider for the six-year-old.

"It was a solid enough run from her today so I'll still send her down," Birchley said.

"The winner had a head full of steam by the time my mare got into the clear and she'll improve a lot by the run."

Birchley is aiming for his first Group One win as a trainer in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 4 and will be guided by that performance whether to stay on for the Group One Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick two weeks later.

Watchyerback's win didn't surprise trainer David Murphy who took over the gelding's preparation from Gladstone trainer Phillip Pengelly last month.

"He's had a few problems throughout his career with bad knees and general wear and tear but I think he'll soon go back home to prepare for the Rockhampton Newmarket," he said.

Earlier, Toowoomba youngster Fantastic Blue took the first step to fulfilling trainer Paul Nolan's dream of winning the Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in May with a convincing victory in the Dutton Park Rowing Club Handicap (1300m).

Fantastic Blue left winning jockey Larry Cassidy with a lasting impression after the Danehill Dancer youngster streaked home by 1-1/4 lengths over Choistar.

"He's very good and has a lovely action," Cassidy said.

"He'll have no problem running 1600 metres and I think he may get further.

"The race wasn't run to suit him but he's more of a chaser as he started to loaf when he hit the front."

Nolan couldn't believe his luck when he bought Fantastic Blue for only $55,000 off breeder Gerry Harvey at the Magic Millions yearling sales.

"He's a three-quarter brother to Light Fantastic but it wasn't mentioned in the catalogue," Nolan said.

"I paid $55,000 to get him and that's a bloody lot of money for me.

"He's got the makings of being a very good horse and I want to win the Sires' Produce with him."

Light Fantastic won the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington 12 months ago and was runner-up to Niconero in the Group One Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield last month.