STAR Queensland sprinter Burdekin Blues will return to Melbourne for a crack at the Lightning Stakes following his impressive win in the $100,000 Bat out of Hell, 900m, at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Trainer Barry Baldwin was wary about starting Burdekin Blues on the slow track but the $1.50 favorite still proved too classy for Azzaland, $4.60, despite his big weight of 61kg.
“He did what he had to do and that’s all that matters,” Baldwin said. “It’s always a relief to see them win when they are odds-on but it wasn’t his best win.”It was still the 11th win from 18 starts for Burdekin Blues and lifted his stakes earnings past $650,000.
“He will have an easy 10 days in the stable at home and then head back to Melbourne for the Lightning,” Baldwin said.
Jockey Shane Scriven had a long look over his shoulder on several occasions in the straight to check out his rivals before Burdekin Blues withstood a looming challenge from the Toowoomba sprinter, Azzaland.
“These 900 metre races are boot and scoots and I sent him out and put him on the bit,” Scriven said. “I was happy to let him lead or take a sit and he was just too good for them.
“He ran 900 metres flat out today and he’d had enough the last furlong but it’s onwards and upwards for the Lightning now.”
