By Glenn Davis

BRISBANE, Aug 26 AAP - Trainer Norm Hilton is clearly enjoying his association with Chris Munce and will heed the jockey's advice before determining if Poor Judge heads to Sydney for the spring.

Munce and Hilton struck up a formidable partnership during the winter with Poor Judge, who runs in Saturday's Hotel LA Open Handicap (1350m) at Doomben, winning twice at Listed level in the Bribie Handicap at Eagle Farm and Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba in April.

They also teamed to win the Listed Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm in July with Bold Glance.

Poor Judge returned following his winter campaign with a disappointing fourth to The Sixties at Eagle Farm on July 24 before bouncing back to win by more than four lengths over 1300 metres on his home track of Toowoomba on August 14.

Hilton blamed himself for the five-year-old's first-up failure but he now believes the son of Royal Academy is close to peak form.

"He trialled well before he failed at Eagle Farm but in hindsight I was too easy on him and he was too big," Hilton said.

"I stepped up his work a lot after that run and gave him another barrier trial which he won before he came out and won in a canter last start.

"He's going well now and I think he's back to the form he showed before he won the Weetwood."

Hilton is keen to test Poor Judge over 1600 metres this campaign and hasn't ruled out sending him to Sydney for the spring.

"He should run a mile no trouble and I've given some thought to sending him to Sydney," he said.

"But the problem is he's not a good traveller.

"I expect him to win on Saturday and if he does I'll talk to Chris to get his opinion on whether he's up to Sydney standard.

"I've thought about Sydney but I haven't looked seriously at it yet.

"Chris would know best. He's been there and done that."

Hilton's long-term plans for Poor Judge are focused on next year's Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

"If he doesn't go away I'd only give him a short campaign and get him ready for the Magic Millions Cup in January," he said.

"But the winter carnival is his main goal. I really think he is Stradbroke material."