Call Me Bluey passed a stamina test to give trainer Norm Hilton the perfect farewell gift at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Hilton will leave Toowoomba within the next fortnight to move to Newcastle where he has 16 boxes on course at Broadmeadow.

"I love Queensland but they're ripping up the track in Toowoomba which had an impact on my decision as well as prize money which doesn't seem to be improving," Hilton said.

"Owners want maximum prize money for their horses and there's a lot more options down there."

Hilton said he had been thinking of making the move for some time.

"I thought about moving to Warwick Farm a while ago when I was there with Bold Glance," he said.

"I liked the training facilities at Warwick Farm but I hate Sydney.

"Newcastle is a progressive club so I thought if I'm going to make the move then it's now or never."

Call Me Bluey was attempting 2100m for the first time in the Channel Seven Handicap but Hilton was confident he would cope with the step up in journey.

"I've been thinking about it all preparation and the way he's finished off his last two mile races I thought he was crying out for the extra journey," he said.

"After he ran in the Bernborough I went home and got the calendar out and saw this race so I threw him in when they extended the nominations."

Apprentice Kirk Matheson followed Hilton's instructions to bring Call Me Bluey to the outside but admits he considered a different plan.

"I had the option to go up on the inside on the home turn but I remembered Norm telling me he doesn't let down as well that way so I'm thankful I followed his instructions," he said.