It could be the start of bigger things ahead if Toowoomba sprinter Carry Me Bluey makes a successful open company debut at Eagle Farm.
Jockey Chris Munce has been a big fan of the four-year-old who landed his third win from his past four starts in a 1350m Class Six at Doomben on November 19.
He steps up to 1600 metres at Listed level in Saturday’s Recognition Stakes.
Munce believes trainer Norm Hilton is on the right track by looking to campaign the son Carry The Flag in Sydney during the autumn.
Hilton hopes Carry Me Bluey, who has six wins and eight placings from 17 starts, will accompany stablemate Bold Glance interstate next year.
“Bold Glance has been back in work three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a few bone chips and all going well he’ll go down to Sydney for the George Ryder and Doncaster Mile next year,” Hilton said.
“If Carry Me Bluey goes well through the summer races I’d like to find a suitable race for him in Sydney.
“It’s possible he could also go for the Doncaster.”
Munce rates Carry Me Bluey as an exciting prospect after partnering him for only the second time last start.
“He’s got plenty of natural ability and this is the first time he’s been in the big league,” Munce said.
“He’d need to step up a peg or two to go for the Doncaster but it’s not beyond him.
“But I really think once he gets to 2000 metres he’s going to be very exciting and explosive.”
Munce has strong claims in both Doomben features with his booking for Zero Rock in the Listed Travel Associates Classic (1200m).
Hilton declared Carry Me Bluey had improved following his recent Doomben triumph and was confident the gelding could win again.
“”He’s improved further since his last run and he’s still on the way up,” he said.
Hilton said Carry Me Bluey was rapidly becoming one of the best horses he’s trained.
“I’ve had a couple of good ones before like Bold Glance and Poor Judge,” he said.
“He’s not quite up with them yet but he’s not far away.
“He’s won over a mile before at Doomben and I’m sure the way he’s going he’ll run 2000 metres.”
Hilton named the Rob Heathcote-trained Fillydelphia as the biggest threat to Carry Me Bluey.
Fillydelphia scored a dominant win over stablemate Humma in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm last month.
Humma also will represent the Heathcote stable in the Recognition Stakes.
AAP TURF
