Well-bred youngster Smokin' Joey has lit up Caulfield with a sizzling last-to-first performance to win the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes at his race debut.Trainer Lee Freedman was so impressed with Saturday's performance over 1200m that he confirmed the Encosta De Lago colt would now head to Brisbane for the QTC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 10.Freedman said Smokin' Joey was shaping as a better horse than his brother Our Smoking Joe who was Group One-placed and had among his

Well-bred youngster Smokin' Joey has lit up Caulfield with a sizzling last-to-first performance to win the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes at his race debut.

Trainer Lee Freedman was so impressed with Saturday's performance over 1200m that he confirmed the Encosta De Lago colt would now head to Brisbane for the QTC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 10.

Freedman said Smokin' Joey was shaping as a better horse than his brother Our Smoking Joe who was Group One-placed and had among his 10 wins the Group Two St George Stakes.

"He's got the potential to be a better horse than his brother and he is showing a lot more at this stage than his brother did," Freedman said.

"It was only a weak Listed race today but they can only win at their first start and he has done it the hard way coming around them."

Freedman chose the Blue Sapphire to launch the careers of not only Smokin' Joey but also Kookaburras who is a Redoute's Choice colt and a half-brother to champion filly Alinghi

Kookaburras finished fourth with his waywardness costing him a place.

"The other horse (Kookaburras) ran well but he's very green whereas he (Smokin' Joey) did everything right," Freedman said.

He said both were big, overgrown colts and he hopes they can measure to the Caulfield Guineas in the spring.

"They are pretty big horses," Freedman said.

"I like both colts very much and I don't think there is much between them."

Freedman said Smokin' Joey always looked the part and his win on Saturday was only another step in his development.

"He has always had a great action and a great attitude," Freedman said.

"Now was the time to get him going and he will probably head to Brisbane for the Sires."

Jockey Chris Symons said he aimed to ride Smokin' Joey off the pace so he could get cover from his wide draw but he didn't expect him to get so far back.

He said Smokin' Joey got into the race on the home turn when the leaders started to tire.

"I brought him out four wide and let him creep into it and when he straightened up he let loose with a great run and continued all the way to post," he said.

"He is so big he gets in his own way a little bit but he's got an enormous stride and is a horse with a lot of ability."

Smokin' Joey could not have been more impressive as he charged away to a two-length win over Miss Elvee with Sistine Angel 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Freedman said a gear change could be the key to improving Kookaburras.

"Kookaburras did a lot wrong inside horses today and in the straight he ran about a lot so he might need blinkers," he said.