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A bit of that early toe shown at the barrier trials would be nice to see in his races as well, is one of trainer Cliff Brown’s wishes for Bluestone ahead of his racing comeback this Saturday.

It is an asset that would come in particularly handy for the Hallowed Crown three-year-old with the higher calibre of opposition that his trainer is throwing at him this term.

One of the leading juveniles last year, Bluestone  has come of age rather well, yielding one win in three starts as a three-year-old. Though he was not beaten out of his ground in his defeats, Brown bemoaned his lack of early speed as the conviction.

In a Class 4 race over 1100m in October, he was caught wide in midfield, but still charged home nicely for second to Autumn Assault. His last start was in the Group 3 Saas Fee Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds in November when he was again outpaced early before he was seen plugging away for fifth place to his star stablemate Inferno.

Bluestone resumes in the Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m on Saturday, up against a field that does not seem to have a lot of depth, but Brown still remains wary.

At Bluestone's latest barrier trial, he was not the quickest out of the machines, but he quickly gathered pace on the outside midrace before striking the lead downhill, and holding it down all the way to the line.

"He shows pace in his barrier trials, but not on raceday. That's the only thing worrying me," said Brown.

"Other than that, and the fact he's drawn poorly (11) on Saturday, he's good, but he's also facing stronger competition. He's got to measure up if he is to head towards the 3YO series.

"But I'm really happy with his level of fitness. He's a progressive horse and ready to go, and that first run will tell us where he is at."

The Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge has been pushed back to a later timeslot this year, kicking off on June 13 with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) to wrap up with the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on July 26.

Michael Rodd, who knows Bluestone reasonably well for having been in the plate at his winning debut and ridden him at that winning trial on January 23, said the two-time winner was no world-beater, but still has some scope about him.

"He's a lightly-raced horse that has been well looked after and well prepared by Cliff," said the Australian hoop.

"He's an up-and-comer, although he's not quite Inferno or Rocket Star, but I recall the day he got beaten by Autumn Assault, who broke the track record that day. He probably broke the record, too – it was the best second you could ever see.

"He was back on the inside at his next run (in the Saas Fee Stakes) and he was clearly not comfortable there.

"He's a little too relaxed in his races, which is different from what he shows us in his trials. It's quite unusual, but he can still unleash a late rally.

"He's drawn a sticky barrier, but I hope everything works in our favour on Saturday."