Queensland's latest sprint discovery Burdekin Blues could be a surprise starter in Sydney ahead of his Group One Newmarket Handicap mission at Flemington in March.Trainer Barry Baldwin believes either the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday week or the Group Three Frederick Clissold Stakes (1200m) at Randwick a week later could be the answer to concerns he has with the four-year-old tackling the Group One Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.The Oakleigh Plate over 1100 metres is

Queensland's latest sprint discovery Burdekin Blues could be a surprise starter in Sydney ahead of his Group One Newmarket Handicap mission at Flemington in March.

Trainer Barry Baldwin believes either the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday week or the Group Three Frederick Clissold Stakes (1200m) at Randwick a week later could be the answer to concerns he has with the four-year-old tackling the Group One Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.

The Oakleigh Plate over 1100 metres is run on February 21, a fortnight before the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the straight at Flemington.

"I'm just a little worried about running him around Caulfield," Baldwin said.

"I've got three options with him now.

"I can take him to Sydney and run in one of those two sprints or go for the Oakleigh Plate before the Newmarket."

Baldwin still has to confer with the gelding's owner Tom Sheahan about a suitable lead-up program but favours the Sydney option and the Clissold Stakes.

"I'm favouring the Clissold at this stage but I have to talk with Tom first," he said.

"The Expressway is weight-for-age and I'd prefer to keep him in a handicap.

"The Clissold fits in better as I'll be able to give him a gallop the Melbourne way at Eagle Farm next Saturday."

Baldwin also has stablemates Nericon King and Simplest nominated for the Newmarket Handicap but both were scratched from Monday's Doomben meeting and will clash in a 1010-metre restricted class race there next Saturday.

"Only one is going to Melbourne now and that's Burdekin Blues," Baldwin said.

Baldwin said Burdekin Blues had pulled up in perfect order following his commanding six-length victory for jockey Larry Cassidy at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

However, no rider has yet ben confirmed for Burdekin Blues' interstate campaign.

"It's up to the owner who will ride him interstate but it'll be either Larry Cassidy or Shane Scriven," Baldwin said.

Baldwin is hoping a win from Burdekin Blues in Sydney will boost his chances of making the final Newmarket Handicap field.

"He's won more than $190,000 in prizemoney but about $50,000 of it doesn't count as it's QTIS prizemoney," he said.

"He's not guaranteed yet of getting into the Newmarket."

Cassidy can only recall riding in one Newmarket Handicap for trainer John Hawkes and has declared he's keen to stay aboard Burdekin Blues anywhere and at any time.

"He's a Group horse and I'll go anywhere to ride him again," Cassidy said after his Eagle Farm triumph.

Jockey Danny Nikolic first declared Burdekin Blues was a potential Group horse in the making when he won on him in restricted company at Eagle Farm during last year's Brisbane winter carnival.

Burdekin Blues has since taken his record to six wins and three placings from 10 starts.