Veteran trainer Paul Nolan will be an attentive listener when Chris Munce gives a Newcastle Cup assessment of Fantastic Blue at Doomben on Saturday.Munce told Nolan the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 15 was well within Fantastic Blue's scope but he needed to take another step up from his last-start win over 2200 metres at Doomben on August 6.Fantastic Blue and Munce will team up again in Saturday's Channel Seven Handicap (2200m) in which the grey gelding will carry 4.5 kilograms

Veteran trainer Paul Nolan will be an attentive listener when Chris Munce gives a Newcastle Cup assessment of Fantastic Blue at Doomben on Saturday.

Munce told Nolan the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 15 was well within Fantastic Blue's scope but he needed to take another step up from his last-start win over 2200 metres at Doomben on August 6.

Fantastic Blue and Munce will team up again in Saturday's Channel Seven Handicap (2200m) in which the grey gelding will carry 4.5 kilograms more than last start.

"The handicappers haven't missed him and I thought about claiming on him," Nolan said.

"I don't listen to many jockeys but I'll listen to Chris.

"The way Chris is riding he deserves to be listened to.

"I've dealt with quite a few jockeys in my time and I always listened to Darren Beadman who pleaded with me to take Paul's Folly to Sydney for the Epsom one year.

"Unfortunately, the owners decided against it. These jockeys are at the top for a reason."

Nolan, 73, has been training for more than half a century but has only ever taken one horse interstate.

That was Laurie's Folly who won a $20,000 maiden at Lismore in 2002.

"I've been to Newcastle a couple of times but not with a horse," Nolan said.

"It's a track which should suit Fantastic Blue but he won't be going there unless he wins or runs very well tomorrow."

Nolan is pleased with how Fantastic Blue has trained on following his last-start victory and will keep him in his own environment for as long as possible if the Newcastle Cup assignment is confirmed.

"I'm really happy the way he's going but he's got to stand up tomorrow," he said.

"The handicapper obviously doesn't want to see him race here but if he goes away he won't go down until a day or two before the race.

"I'd prefer to keep him at home in his own environment for as long as possible. He's got a paddock here which he can roam around in."

Munce was originally dual-booked for the race with trainer Rob Heathcote engaging him for Eureka.

"There was a bit of a misunderstanding and Larry Cassidy will be riding Eureka," Heathcote said.

Eureka has been down on form with three failures from as many starts this campaign which has Heathcote a little worried.

"I've had all the checks done on him and we can't find anything wrong," Heathcote said.

On his day, Eureka is capable of winning in this type of company but the gelding needs to improve sharply after finishing last in a field of 12 to Lake George at Doomben on August 6.