Gold Coast trainer David Kelly hopes top jockey Craig Newitt proves a good judge in two states on Saturday.
Kelly has smart sprinter Final Crescendo in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington and Aldini in the Broadbeach Junior AFL Handicap at the Gold Coast.
Newitt chose Final Crescendo ahead of other mounts as his Gilgai ride and he also praised Aldini after winning on him during the winter carnival.
Final Crescendo earned a trip south after winning at Doomben two weeks ago and has pleased Kelly since arriving in Melbourne.
Kelly said it was also an advantage to have a top rider such as Newitt on Final Crescendo.
“Craig rode for me during the winter and won on Aldini. After that win he told me to put Aldini away and bring him back for the Melbourne spring,” Kelly said.
“There are plenty of races around the 1400-metre range for Aldini in Melbourne. So provided he races well on Saturday we will put him on a plane for Melbourne.”
Kelly had also entered Final Crescendo for the Gold Coast on Saturday but it was only a precaution in case of flight difficulties.
Aldini will be having his first start since winning the Listed Spear Chief Stakes at Eagle Farm on May 31.
However, he trialled at the Gold Coast on September 9 and wasn’t knocked about when finishing fifth.
“It was a handy trial and he has won first and second up,” Kelly said.
Michael Cahill, who won on Final Crescendo at Doomben, will ride Aldini on Saturday.
