Queensland sprinter Burdekin Blues is almost certain to figure in a switch of Melbourne plans to take his place in Saturday's Oakleigh Plate.Trainer Barry Baldwin tabled an Oakleigh Plate start for Burdekin Blues because the four-year-old had thrived since arriving in Melbourne last week."We weren't going to start him until the Newmarket (Handicap) but he's done very well since arriving here and he's firming by the day to start on Saturday," Baldwin said.The $400,000 Group One Oakleigh Plate (11
Queensland sprinter Burdekin Blues is almost certain to figure in a switch of Melbourne plans to take his place in Saturday's Oakleigh Plate.
Trainer Barry Baldwin tabled an Oakleigh Plate start for Burdekin Blues because the four-year-old had thrived since arriving in Melbourne last week.
"We weren't going to start him until the Newmarket (Handicap) but he's done very well since arriving here and he's firming by the day to start on Saturday," Baldwin said.
The $400,000 Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) attracted 26 nominations when entries were taken on Monday.
Baldwin said a final decision on an Oakleigh Plate start would be made after Burdekin Blues gallops at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.
"The horse will have to show us that he gets around Caulfield in the gallop because it can be a tricky track for horses not used to it," Baldwin said.
Leading Melbourne jockey Craig Newitt will partner Burdekin Blues in the workout.
Larry Cassidy, however, is on stand-by for the Oakleigh Plate ride.
Cassidy rode Burdekin Blues to an Eagle Farm win on January 24 but Shane Scriven was in the saddle when the sprinter scored a dashing victory in the Expressway Stakes at Rosehill a fortnight later.
"In fairness to Larry I'll make a decision about an Oakleigh Plate start straight after the horse gallops," Baldwin said.
"I don't want to leave Larry in an awkward spot with his rides in Brisbane on Saturday.
"At least this way if the horse doesn't please me and I don't accept for the Oakleigh Plate, Larry is still in a position to pick up a good book at Doomben."
Cassidy has already been confirmed as Burdekin Blues' rider for the $1 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 7.
Burdekin Blues passed his biggest test in an 11-start career when made an impressive Sydney debut under weight-for-conditions.
On the strength of the victory, his Newmarket Handicap quote was slashed to $7.50 after as much as $201 was bet when markets were first released.
He occupies the third line of Newmarket betting behind Sydney three-year-olds Fist Of Fury ($6) and Northern Meteor ($6.50).
Stablemate Simplest, meanwhile, will return to Brisbane after failing in the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.