Burleigh has started at the track just once a year for the past two years - winning both times at stakes level. In 2001, he won the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas as a three-year-old, while last year he took out the Birthday Cup.

He hasn't been back since but the stable is following the same path as last year - a first-up run in th Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington before a run in Saturday's event.

"Last year he ran a great race in the Blamey, finishing fifth to Tears Royal before winning this race," Hawkes' stable foreman David Pannell said. "He finished 14th in the Blamey this time around, but was beaten only three lengths. Given he was first-up over a mile, then run was pretty good.

"He arrived here late last week and I must say, he looks even better than he did the year before. He settled in well and hopefully he can win the event again."

Local jockey Wayne Kerford, who piloted the gelding to success last year, again has the ride.

"He's won three races on him - all three stakes races," Pannell said. "The horse goes well for him."

The stable has won the race twice, with Spring Thaw winning in 1991 before Burleigh last year. The last horse to win the race twice was veteran stayer Skybeau in 1999 and 2000.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

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