Friday, 6 July 2012: Toowoomba trainer Norm Hilton hopes his first trip to Grafton provides instant success with Carry Me Bluey in the $50,000 Black Auto South Grafton Cup on Sunday.
The 57-year-old trainer believes the 1600m of the South Grafton Cup is the "right race” for his four-year-old gelding.
Hilton is bringing his 19-year-old 2kg claiming apprentice Allanah Fancourt to ride
Carry Me Bluey, reducing his weight to 58.5kg.
It will be Fancourt's first ride on the seven-time winner from 27 starts but she has ridden the gelding in trials and trackwork at Toowoomba.
Carry Me Bluey 
comes off a last start 1.4 lengths fourth to Firebolt in the Listed Tattersall's Cup (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 23.
“He wasn't ridden to instructions,” Hilton said.
“He went up on the rail before getting out and running on. I wanted him to get to the outside.
“He needs to have space to finish off his races.”
Hilton has trained the son of Carry The Flag since he was a Class 1 horse.
“He's clean winded horse. I don't do a lot with him on the track," he said.
"He's not a brilliant worker, just does what he has to.”
Carry me Bluey has one peculiar habit - he hates early mornings.
“At 3.30am he wants to rip your arms off,” Hilton said. “Later he's fine. He's just not a morning horse.”
Carry me Bluey has a great record at 1600m of two wins and a third from five starts.
“He tends to get back a bit but can run home well,” Hilton added.
"With Allanah's claim he gets into a race that looks ideal on a track that should suit him.
“With even luck he should be right in it.”
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