Glenn Davis   December 17  2012

Under-rated five-year-old Mr Light Blue delighted trainer Barry Baldwin with his return to form at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Mr Light Blue bounced back to record his first win since March with a dominant performance in the Coca Cola Amatil Quality (1600m).

The son of Fantastic Light led most of the way to edge out Danagaze by a nose.

The win took Mr Light Blue's career earnings past $263,000 with seven wins and 11 placings from 32 starts. 

Baldwin pulled a master stroke adding blinkers and changing tactics on Mr Light Blue following his previous seventh in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm two weeks earlier.

"He's won seven races and they've all been with the blinkers on," Baldwin said.

"The owners wanted him ridden forward a bit but it surprised me a little when he ended up leading.

"It wasn't our intention to lead but I wasn't worried when I saw him go to the front as there was no pace on early.

"It just worked out in our favour.''

Baldwin is looking to give Mr Light Blue another chance to redeem himself at Listed level in the Bernborough Handicap (1615m) at Doomben next start.

"He jarred up in the Recognition Stakes and had a tough times for a few days after the race," Baldwin said.

"He's always been the type of horse that takes a couple of runs to reach his top.

"He's finally picked up one now and he'll go into the Bernborough next start."

His win was timely for part-owner Brian Malt who has been battling ill health lately.

Mr Light Blue's victory followed Baldwin's winning double with Croatian Quality and Annia Faustina at Ipswich the previous day.

As a three-year-old, Mr Light Blue earned a shot at the G1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm but could manage only seventh behind Shootoff.

"It was a great run in the Derby that year. He was three wide all the way and ran a great race," he said.

Mr Light Blue failed last winter carnival and Baldwin is uncertain whether he'll be given another chance at winter glory next year.

Mr Light Blue:

Age:             5yo       Sex:   g                 Colour:   gr              Prizemoney: $263,700

Sire: Fantastic Light (USA)             Dam: African Queen (by Lion Hunter)

Trainer:   B S Baldwin at Eagle Farm           

Colours:   Black, pink maltese cross and cap

Owners:   B D Malt, N D J Tierney, G J Strofield, Mrs W A Strofield, L G Edwards, Mrs E G Edwards, B S Baldwin & B J Malt

Wins::   1 (2200m), 1 (2180m), 1 (2150m), 1 (2100m), 1 (2000m), 2 (1600m)"