Coniston Bluebird's chances of competing in the New Zealand Derby are improving with trainer Bede Murray saying he is more than a 50 per cent chance to make the trip.Murray said there were excuses for Coniston Bluebird's last start fifth of six at Randwick on January 24 after which he was eased to $21 for the Group One classic at Ellerslie.Tests have so far revealed no abnormalities and Murray will make a final decision this week with the three-year-old booked to fly to Auckland on February 9 wi

Coniston Bluebird's chances of competing in the New Zealand Derby are improving with trainer Bede Murray saying he is more than a 50 per cent chance to make the trip.

Murray said there were excuses for Coniston Bluebird's last start fifth of six at Randwick on January 24 after which he was eased to $21 for the Group One classic at Ellerslie.

Tests have so far revealed no abnormalities and Murray will make a final decision this week with the three-year-old booked to fly to Auckland on February 9 with the Derby three weeks later.

"All the tests have been normal," Murray said.

"We will have further blood tests early in the week but at this stage he is more than a 50 per cent chance to go to New Zealand.

"The way the race was run at Randwick didn't suit him and although he finished a fair way from the winner, he didn't lose any ground.

"His final 600 metres was good from a staying point of view and I still think he can go over there and be competitive."

The Roger James-trained Easy Ryder, winner of Saturday's Waikato Guineas, firmed to $10 with Le Baron and My Scotsgrey holding sway at $6 on the NZ TAB.

Le Baron was unplaced over 1600 metres on January 25 after winning the Great Northern Guineas while My Scotsgrey was third over 1400 metres at Pukekohe on January 30.

The Shaune Ritchie-trained My Scotsgrey ran second to The Tiger in the Geelong Classic in November in which Rebel Raider was third.

My Scotsgrey then finished seventh after getting a long way back early in the Victoria Derby won by Rebel Raider from Whobegotyou.

Prior to his fifth behind African Prince over 1800 metres, Coniston Bluebird finished third over 1500 metres at Rosehill after a luckless run.

That was his first start since being gelded following successive wins at Rosehill and Warwick Farm.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Rock Kingdom remained at $10 in the NZ Derby market but indications are he will do his autumn racing in Sydney.