Trainer Barry Baldwin is pleased with the steady progress being made by talented sprinter Burdekin Blues ahead of his comeback for a Sydney spring campaign.Burdekin Blues has not started since finishing fifth to The Jackal in the Group Three Star Kingdom Hcp (1100m) at Rosehill in March.It was later discovered Burdekin Blues had torn back muscles which ruled him out of the Brisbane winter carnival.Baldwin was hoping Burdekin Blues would measure up for the major winter sprints including his initi

Trainer Barry Baldwin is pleased with the steady progress being made by talented sprinter Burdekin Blues ahead of his comeback for a Sydney spring campaign.

Burdekin Blues has not started since finishing fifth to The Jackal in the Group Three Star Kingdom Hcp (1100m) at Rosehill in March.

It was later discovered Burdekin Blues had torn back muscles which ruled him out of the Brisbane winter carnival.

Baldwin was hoping Burdekin Blues would measure up for the major winter sprints including his initial goal, the Group One BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben in May.

"He's been back in work now for three weeks and before that he had about a month doing pre-training," Baldwin said.

"He's only up to three-quarter pace at this stage but he's been doing a lot of swimming.

"The vet is very happy with his recovery but I'm in no hurry and I'm going to take my time and bring him along slowly."

Baldwin believes Burdekin Blues, a winner of seven of 13 starts, initially may have hurt his back when he campaigned in Melbourne last autumn.

"It's still a mystery how he did it but I think it happened when he went down to Melbourne for the Newmarket Handicap," Baldwin said.

Burdekin Blues won the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in February which earned him a shot at the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March.

However, the five-year-old finished unplaced in the Melbourne feature won by Scenic Blast who has since taken out the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Baldwin is yet to determine when Burdekin Blues will make his comeback and is also unsure whether he will run in a barrier trial before resuming.

"I want to see how his back comes along in the next few weeks before we start planning what races to aim for in Sydney," Baldwin said.

"The injury wasn't career threatening but it was quite serious.

"Some vets believe horses with this type of injury need nine months to recover but others say you can get away with six months like he's had out," he said.