Burdekin Blues returned to his brilliant best to clinch a late Melbourne spring carnival trip with a commanding victory at Eagle Farm.Burdekin Blues, having only his second start since suffering a back injury during the autumn, led all the way for a 1-1/2 length win in Saturday's Stanton Mienert Accountants Handicap (1000m).Trainer Barry Baldwin was relieved to see the five-year-old back to his top and was particularly pleased to see him fight off challenger Daunting Lad who loomed up to threate
Burdekin Blues returned to his brilliant best to clinch a late Melbourne spring carnival trip with a commanding victory at Eagle Farm.
Burdekin Blues, having only his second start since suffering a back injury during the autumn, led all the way for a 1-1/2 length win in Saturday's Stanton Mienert Accountants Handicap (1000m).
Trainer Barry Baldwin was relieved to see the five-year-old back to his top and was particularly pleased to see him fight off challenger Daunting Lad who loomed up to threaten in the straight.
"It's good to see him back winning again," Baldwin said.
"He looks to be right back to his best now but I was more pleased with the way he kicked back when Larry (Cassidy) gave him a dig up when Daunting Lad moved up."
Cassidy gave Baldwin further encouragement after the race by predicting Burdekin Blues would take even greater benefit from the run.
"He's very fast and you don't have to push him," Cassidy said.
"He was definitely a lot fitter from his run the other day and he had another blow after the race so he should be a lot fitter next time."
Burdekin Blues won the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill during the autumn but was later sidelined when it was discovered he had a serious back problem after finishing fifth in the Group Three Star Kingdom Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on March 21.
Baldwin gave Burdekin Blues a lengthy spell to recover and planned to send him to Melbourne for last Saturday's Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield had he won his comeback at Eagle Farm last month.
However, Burdekin Blues slipped at the start that day and Baldwin immediately shelved the trip away fearing a recurrence of his back injury when he went down narrowly to Forestreno.
Baldwin hopes to fly Burdekin Blues to Melbourne and will have his fingers crossed for an available flight.
"I would like to fly him down but I don't know if there's an available flight yet," he said.
"If there's no plane then I'll have no alternative but to float him which is not ideal."
Baldwin believes Burdekin Blues is at his best in shorter races where he can take advantage of his explosive speed and will target the Listed Century Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Oaks day.
"I've got my doubts he runs a strong 1200 metres and I prefer him in the shorter races," he said.
"Sending him to Melbourne now will give us a better guide where to go with him.
"I'd like to send him back down next year for the Lightning and Oakleigh Plate."