Trainer Barry Baldwin plans to keep talented sprinter Burdekin Blues in his home surroundings for as long as possible ahead of his Melbourne campaign next month.Burdekin Blues resurrected an interstate trip by lumping 59 kilograms to a convincing win over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm last Saturday.It was the gelding's eighth win from 15 starts at only his second start back from a serious back injury.Baldwin shelved plans to send Burdekin Blues to Melbourne for the Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caul

Trainer Barry Baldwin plans to keep talented sprinter Burdekin Blues in his home surroundings for as long as possible ahead of his Melbourne campaign next month.

Burdekin Blues resurrected an interstate trip by lumping 59 kilograms to a convincing win over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

It was the gelding's eighth win from 15 starts at only his second start back from a serious back injury.

Baldwin shelved plans to send Burdekin Blues to Melbourne for the Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield earlier this month after he was run down by Forestreno over 1020 metres in his comeback at Doomben last month.

Forestreno clocked 58.15 seconds for the extended dash at Doomben while Burdekin Blues showed he was back to his best with a time of 56.69s in his Eagle Farm victory.

"He can only win and I was pleased with the way he did it and the time was pretty good," Baldwin said.

Baldwin scrapped Schillaci Stakes plans after he feared Burdekin Blues may have hurt his back again when he slipped at the start in his Doomben return.

However, the son of Sequalo proved Baldwin had no cause for concern when he careered away for a 1-1/2 length win last Saturday.

Baldwin doesn't want to float Burdekin Blues to Melbourne for the Listed Century Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Oaks day and is monitoring available flights.

"We've still got 2-1/2 weeks before the race and I want to keep him in his home surroundings for as long as possible," Baldwin said.

"He's had the education down the straight at Flemington when I took him to Melbourne in the autumn.

"I'm going to give him 10 days to make sure he's settled down from Saturday's win and hopefully we can organise a flight and take him to Melbourne a few days before the race.

"He may even have another run down there over 1000 metres at Sandown."

Burdekin Blues earned a shot at the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington in March following his easy win in the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in February.

Baldwin plans to use his short spring campaign in Melbourne as a guide to a possible return trip in the autumn.

"This trip will be a sort of trial to see if he's up to taking back again in the autumn for the Lightning Stakes, Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap," he said.

"If he doesn't go well down there this time I might aim him for the autumn in Sydney."

Baldwin will give Shane Scriven first refusal to ride Burdekin Blues on Oaks day with rival Larry Cassidy electing to stay in Brisbane.

Cassidy, who quit riding in Sydney to come to Brisbane late last year, has had a number of offers to return south but wants to remain in Queensland to focus on winning the Brisbane jockeys' premiership.