Trainer Trevor Bailey will let results determine whether his promising duo Flying Minstrel and Excapishe head interstate for the spring.
Flying Minstrel returns to city racing in the Jim Beam Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on Saturday with Excapishe lining-up in the Mother Two-Years-Old Handicap (1110m).
Flying Minstrel returned to his best form with an easy win in Class Two company at the Gold Coast last Saturday while Bailey declared Excapishe the real deal following a runaway midweek win at Doomben last month.
Flying Minstrel, a son of Jet Spur, mysteriously lost form last campaign, failing in the Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Stakes (1200m) at Wyong in December before finishing last at the Gold Coast on New Year’s Day.
“The heat knocked him around when I took him down to Wyong,” Bailey said.
“Then when I brought him back to the Gold Coast he struck a bog track.
“I put him out in the paddock after those runs and had him gelded and he seems to be back on track now.”
Bailey had planned for Flying Minstrel to resume this Saturday before deciding to run him in a 900-metre Class Two at the Gold at the Gold Coast last Saturday.
“He trialled quite well at the Gold Coast last month and I was going to take him straight to town for his first-up run,” he said.
“But I felt he may need another gallop to top him off for a Saturday race so instead of trialling him we decided to start him at the Gold Coast.
“He was quite impressive winning last week and it was more like an exhibition gallop when he won by more than two lengths.”
Bailey is unconcerned about backing up Flying Minstrel seven days after he made his comeback at the Gold Coast.
“The back up shouldn’t worry him that much,” Bailey said.
“He was never out of second gear when he won and he’s had an easy time this week.”
Bailey has booked star apprentice Tim Bell to partner Flying Minstrel who will be chasing his fourth win from only six starts while Jim Byrne partners Excapishe.
“I want to see how Excapishe handles the step up in grade and if he runs well it’ll give me a guide where to go with him,” Bailey said.
“I’m confident Flying Minstrel will run run well but it’s not an easy race for him.
“There’s quite a few horses like Excellantes and Adebisi, if it shows up on the day, who will be hard to beat.”
Bailey is in no rush to venture interstate with his pair.
“At this stage we’re just taking them along race by race to see how they come up,” Bailey said.
AAP TURF