Fantastic Blue might target the Newcastle Cup after a recommendation from jockey Chris Munce

Queensland trainer Paul Nolan is considering targeting Fantastic Blue at the Group 3 Newcastle Cup in September after jockey Chris Munce made the recommendation.

Munce made it clear to Nolan that Fantastic Blue was more than capable of contesting the Newcastle Cup after he rode him to victory at Doomben Racecourse last start.

“I’ve been to Newcastle a couple of times but not with a horse,” Nolan said.

Fantastic Blue is due to run in the Channel Seven Handicap at Doomben tomorrow, where the five-year-old gelding has been allocated 4.5 kilograms more than in his last start.

“The handicappers haven’t missed him and I thought about claiming on him,” Nolan said.

The trainer will wait to decide whether or not to run Fantastic Blue in the Newcastle Cup after tomorrow’s race.

“It’s a track which should suit Fantastic Blue but he won’t be going there unless he wins or runs very well tomorrow,” Nolan said.

“I’m really happy the way he’s going but he’s got to stand up tomorrow.

“The handicapper obviously doesn’t want to see him race here but if he goes away he won’t go down until a day or two before the race.

“I’d prefer to keep him at home in his own environment for as long as possible.

“He’s got a paddock here which he can roam around in.”

Nolan has discovered which jockeys to listen to during his 50 year-long training career.

“I don’t listen to many jockeys but I’ll listen to Chris,” he said.

“The way Chris is riding he deserves to be listened to.

“I’ve dealt with quite a few jockeys in my time and I always listened to Darren Beadman who pleaded with me to take Paul’s Folly to Sydney for the Epsom one year.

“Unfortunately, the owners decided against it.

“These jockeys are at the top for a reason.”