Carry Me Bluey In Doomben Distance Test
- Thursday, 15 September 2011 03:30
Carry Me Bluey can put himself in contention for a Sydney autumn campaign if he passes a distance test at Doomben on Saturday.
Carry Me Bluey will be chasing successive wins in the Origin Kebabs Handicap (1615m) following the gelding's impressive victory over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.
Hilton, who lost stable star Bold Glance for the spring, has a good opinion of Carry Me Bluey who took his record to four wins and eight placings from 14 starts with his last start victory.
"He's stepping up past 1400 metres for the first time but I haven't got any doubt about him getting the trip," Hilton said.
"Chris Munce rode him last time when he won and he's of the opinion he'll run further."
With Munce riding in Sydney, Toowoomba jockey Kristy Banks will be given the opportunity for a rare city win.
"Kristy knows the horse very well and has won on him but more importantly she rides him in all his trackwork," Hilton said.
Hilton campaigned Bold Glance in Sydney during the autumn where he was placed in the Group Three Doncaster Prelude (1400m) Randwick before finishing third to Sacred Choice in the Group One Doncaster Mile at the same venue in April.
Bold Glance returned for the Brisbane winter carnival but failed in both the Group Three BTC Sprint at Doomben and Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.
"We always knew he had some wear and tear issues and it surfaced during the winter," Hilton said.
"He's out spelling after having surgery to remove some small bone chips in his front fetlocks."
Bold Glance is unlikely to return to the track until December, around the same time he plans to run Carry Me Bluey in the Brisbane summer series.
"Carry Me Bluey will run on Saturday and then go out for a break to prepare for the summer series," Hilton said.
"Depending how he goes next campaign I'd like to take him to Sydney with Bold Glance next autumn.
"Bold Glance will be going back for the Doncaster and probably the George Ryder and I'm hoping Carry Me Bluey will be there with him.
"I'm not sure what races he'd go down for but this race on Saturday will give us a guide if he can run a mile (1600 metres).
"He ran 1400 metres out very strongly last start and he was still winding up on the winning post so I can't see why he won't get the distance."
