Showman Baz will head to Brisbane for the $30,000 to the final winner Young Gunners series at the Q1 Lakeside track following his emphatic win at Bulli on Tuesday night.
The John Smart-trained youngster, who does not turn two until June, took his record to six wins and two seconds from nine starts with a sizzling 22.20 performance over the Bulli 400m trip.
Showman Baz is a nephew of Smart's former top class sprint and middle distance star Showman Jack, who won 17 races, including the 2023 Country Classic at Dubbo, earning over $226,000.
Showman Jack is by Fernando Bale from John Smart's bitch Lovelace, while Showman Baz is by Shima Shine from Esme Watson, a litter sister to Showman Jack.
Showman Baz sprained a toe at the end of March and resumed a month later for Smart with a 400m Bulli win in 22.40, which he trimmed by .20sec on Tuesday night.
"He is as good as, if not better than Showman Jack was at the same age,'' Smart said.
Showman Baz
"I have decided to send him up to trainer Michelle Sultana in Queensland to tackle the Young Gunners heats at The Q on March 16.
"The 457m final a week later is worth $30,000 but how Showman Baz performs in that age restricted series will be a good guide to his prospects in the Ipswich Cup.
"The Ipswich Cup heats are at Q1 Lakeside on March 28 with the final on June 4 worth $150,000 to the winner.
"Michelle Sultana has been having plenty of success since moving up north so I will send Showman Baz to her and depending on how he goes in the Young Gunners, he may stay with her to tackle the Ipswich Cup.
"Showman Baz's only flaw is his tendency to get off the track.
"I've tried everything to try and make him rail better but all to no avail.
''That's why he goes so well on the roomy Bulli track so the Lakeside circuit in Brisbane, which is a similar big one turn circuit, should suit him.
"Showman Baz is only a baby so there is plenty of time for him to come back to Wentworth Park.''
Showman Baz scored an impressive Wentworth Park 520m win in 29.70 in March and still has a bright future at headquarters, although wide draws tend to suit him there.
