Talented sprinter Burdekin Blues could resurrect a Melbourne campaign if he returns to winning form at Eagle Farm on Saturday.Trainer Barry Baldwin has had a change of heart with the five-year-old who went down by only a few centimetres to Grafton sprinter Forestreno in his first start for six months at Doomben last month and will test him in the Stanton Mienert Accountants Handicap (1000m).Baldwin initially feared Burdekin Blues may have suffered another injury setback in his first-up performan

Talented sprinter Burdekin Blues could resurrect a Melbourne campaign if he returns to winning form at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Trainer Barry Baldwin has had a change of heart with the five-year-old who went down by only a few centimetres to Grafton sprinter Forestreno in his first start for six months at Doomben last month and will test him in the Stanton Mienert Accountants Handicap (1000m).

Baldwin initially feared Burdekin Blues may have suffered another injury setback in his first-up performance over 1020 metres when the gelding slipped at the start.

The tardy getaway didn't prevent Burdekin Blues from setting up a big lead but concerns were raised with how quickly he compounded in the straight.

The son of Sequalo would have earned a trip to Melbourne for last Saturday's Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield had he been successful but Baldwin decided not to risk him too early in his current preparation.

Baldwin had his private vet inspect Burdekin Blues the day after the defeat but nothing was found amiss.

Burdekin Blues won the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill during the autumn but had been sidelined since 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.

"I had my vet go over him the day after his last run and he couldn't find anything wrong with him," Baldwin said.

"His first-up run wasn't too bad but he was nowhere near his top.

"He's done well since and Larry Cassidy has been riding him work and he thinks he's improved a lot."

Cassidy will again have the mount on Burdekin Blues but Shane Scriven is the frontrunner to be reunited with him if he secures a Melbourne trip.

"Larry doesn't want to go to Melbourne as he's putting all his efforts in here trying to win the premiership," Baldwin said.

"If Burdekin Blues wins on Saturday I'll take him away for a race down the straight at Flemington on Oaks day."

The race Baldwin is targeting is the Listed Century Stakes (1100m).

Baldwin first took Burdekin Blues to Melbourne in the autumn following his victory in the Expressway.

However, he failed to fire and weakened to finish 14th behind Scenic Blast in the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, the race in which Baldwin feared he hurt his back.