Sergeant following carefully structured battle plan

FOLLOWING a carefully structured battle plan, promising youngster Sergeant Lou will make his interstate debut this weekend.

Fresh from his Caduceus Classic success in Melton last month, Sergeant Lou is engaged in the Simpson Memorial at Club Menangle.

Connections selected the $50,000 sprint as a gateway into the New South Wales Derby at the world class venue on March 9.

On top of the lion's share of the prizemoney, the winner automatically qualifies for the Blue Riband as opposed to contesting heats the week before.

"We've had this race set out for him for a while for a couple of reasons," trainer Kari Males said. "Firstly, it gives him a look at the track while racing for good money, and second is, the winner goes straight into the Derby.

"Winning and getting a spot in the Derby is the ideal situation as it means he spends less time away from familiar ground and we can keep him happier and ticking over at home.

"Worse case scenario is if we have to go to the heats, we will."

To be driven by in-form reinsman Michael Bellman, Sergeant Lou has drawn barrier two, but slots into the pole with the removal of the emergency.

TAB Fixed Odds have listed the well-bred son of Sweet Lou as the $3.40 second favourite, with the equally as well-bred Ravishing Sloy heading the market at $2.50 from gate 10.

"He has a good draw which we hope to make the most of," Males said. "He is blessed with a lot of ability, but we're going into the unknown heading to Menangle."

Later on the card the three-year-old's half-sister, Le Belle Bijoux, will begin from the pole in the www.nationaltrotguide.com.au Pace.

"She's been going well," Males said. "She had a bit of a gut buster during her last start but pulled up alright from it.

"I haven't been able to fault her track work lately and she only needs the right luck to win."