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Burdekin Blues on target for spring

Sunday 5 July 2009
By Glenn Davis

Talented sprinter Burdekin Blues is on target for a spring campaign in Sydney after making a good recovery from a back injury which ruled him out of the Brisbane winter carnival.

Burdekin Blues pulled up sore following his last start fifth to The Jackal in the Group Three Star Kingdom Hcp (1100m) at Rosehill on March 21 which denied him a chance to compete during the winter.

Trainer Barry Baldwin planned to aim the four-year-old at the Group One BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben in May before he injured his back.

"We're still not sure how he did it but he could have hurt it when he went down to Melbourne for the Newmarket Handicap," Baldwin said.

Burdekin Blues earned a start in the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March following his easy victory in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in February.

He finished unplaced in the Melbourne feature won by Scenic Blast who has since taken out the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A winner of seven of his 13 starts, Burdekin Blues has been in pre-training for two weeks and Baldwin is pleased with the latest reports from two veterinarians.

"The back injury wasn't career-threatening but he's needed a lot of treatment," Baldwin said.

"It was quite serious but we've had good reports from two vets who have gone right over him.

"If all goes well he'll get ready for the spring in Sydney but we're not sure about taking him back to Melbourne.

"We're a bit allergic to Melbourne after what happened there last time, although a race like the Manikato Stakes might be a good option.

"We still might be tempted to go to Melbourne for the Manikato as Moonee Valley should suit him but we'll need to see how he comes up first."

However, Baldwin still favours a return to Sydney for the spring and says he has several options there to choose from.

Meanwhile, Baldwin has no plans to rush rising three-year-old Racing Pegasus back into work for a spring campaign.

Racing Pegasus was also ruled out of the Brisbane winter carnival after she chipped a bone in her off front foreleg when she failed in the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.

"She's out spelling still and won't come back into work for at least another six weeks," Baldwin said.

"We found she had a little chip which was removed in an operation.

"She wouldn't be ready in time for the spring and being a Magic Millions filly she'll probably aim for the Magic Millions Trophy next year."