Star Queensland sprinter Burdekin Blues will return to work this week from an enforced layoff due to knee surgery.Burdekin Blues was being aimed at the The Galaxy in Sydney in April when trainer Barry Baldwin pulled the pin on the Group One feature, unhappy with the gelding's recovery from ligament damage suffered in the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in January.The son of Sequalo finished a disappointing eighth to Nicconi in the Lightning bringing an abrupt end to Baldwin's au

Star Queensland sprinter Burdekin Blues will return to work this week from an enforced layoff due to knee surgery.

Burdekin Blues was being aimed at the The Galaxy in Sydney in April when trainer Barry Baldwin pulled the pin on the Group One feature, unhappy with the gelding's recovery from ligament damage suffered in the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in January.

The son of Sequalo finished a disappointing eighth to Nicconi in the Lightning bringing an abrupt end to Baldwin's autumn plans.

He subsequently underwent surgery on both front knees.

"I had two vets go right over him after he spelled for three weeks following the Lightning and they weren't happy with his recovery," Baldwin said.

"He had some swelling in the knee he hurt in Melbourne and the vets decided to operate when they found he had some minor cartilage damage in his other front knee."

Baldwin was thankful there was no serious bone damage which could have ended the gelding's career.

Baldwin always remained optimistic Burdekin Blues would make a speedy recovery and sent him to Ingham in north Queensland for his rehabilitation.

"The vets have always thought he'd make a full recovery and come back 100 per cent after a spell," Baldwin said.

"He's got a bit of scar tissue on his knees from the operations but there's no cause for panic from that."

The surgery forced Burdekin Blues out of the Brisbane winter carnival and Baldwin may target the summer races in Brisbane before a possible return to Melbourne next autumn.

Burdekin Blues has won 11 of his 19 starts including the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in February last year.

"I've got nothing definite in mind with him just yet and I just want to see how he comes back," Baldwin said.

"He'll spend the first month on a water-walker and doing light work.

"I'm not in a hurry with him but he should be right to run again during the summer.

The George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben in December is a possible summer target ahead of another trip to Melbourne.

"I'm not ruling Melbourne out next autumn and in the summer he'll probably aim for the George Moore Stakes which he won last year and then the Bat Out Of Hell at the Gold Coast," he said.

Burdekin Blues scored a brilliant win in the Listed Grazia Style (1100m) at Flemington last November but Baldwin doubts he'll be ready in time for a return trip to Melbourne this spring.