Only a few centimetres stood between Burdekin Blues and a successful comeback at Doomben but it was enough to convince trainer Barry Baldwin to abandon a Melbourne trip for next month's Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.Burdekin Blues set up a big lead in his first start since March but compounded badly in the dying stages of Saturday's Twins Peaks For Spelling Handicap (1020m) to go under by a nose to evergreen Grafton sprinter Forestreno.Jockey Larry Cassidy thought Burdekin Blues had ju

Only a few centimetres stood between Burdekin Blues and a successful comeback at Doomben but it was enough to convince trainer Barry Baldwin to abandon a Melbourne trip for next month's Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.

Burdekin Blues set up a big lead in his first start since March but compounded badly in the dying stages of Saturday's Twins Peaks For Spelling Handicap (1020m) to go under by a nose to evergreen Grafton sprinter Forestreno.

Jockey Larry Cassidy thought Burdekin Blues had just lasted to win and was surprised when the lengthy photo-finish decision went in favour of Michael Cahill's mount.

"I thought I had just won and Michael thought so as well," Cassidy said.

Burdekin Blues won the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill during the autumn but has been sidelined for six months after it was discovered he had a serious back problem following his last-start fifth in the Group Three Star Kingdom Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill in March.

Baldwin and Cassidy were locked in deep discussions following the gelding's narrow defeat with both fearing he may not have come back in top physical condition.

"He won't be going to Melbourne on that run," Baldwin said.

"I've been worried all the time with him.

"We were always confident he would come back but you never know until you put them under pressure in a race.

"He had a serious back problem and some vets said it would take 12 months to get over and others said about three, so we gave him six."

Cassidy feared something was not right with the five-year-old when the gates opened.

"He jumped well but he seemed to scramble for his feet and got out really low," he said.

Forestreno's trainer Phil McLeod was one of the few people on track who thought his eight-year-old had hauled in Burdekin Blues.

"I have a theory in photo-finishes like that," he said.

"I watch their rumps and generally the one in front wins.

"He's a good honest horse but I know one thing ... he won't be going to Sydney."

Earlier, trainer Alan Bailey was left with a dilemma after promising sprinter Cornwall Park maintained his unbeaten record with his fourth win.

Cornwall Park travelled in fifth place most of the way before making his winning move approaching the home turn in the Sydney Transport Handicap (1350m).

Seamer followed Bailey's instructions to the letter when he let loose on the four-year-old on the bend before scoring by 2-3/4 lengths from One Eyed.

Bailey was critical of Cornwall Park's weight before the race and now finds himself with a difficult task trying to place the son of Pentire.

"I've got a good opinion of him but I was disappointed with his weight," Bailey said.

"It makes the handicappers look like they were right giving him this weight (55.5kg) but I don't know where I'll go with him now."