Trainer Robbie Heathcote may be forced to change direction with Our Lukas' summer campaign if the Ipswich Cup winner is successful in the Listed Recognition Stakes at Eagle Farm.Our Lukas showed a ton of courage to fight back to down Secrets Untold in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm earlier this month.The win was the six-year-old's first victory since he triumphed in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) in June and confirmed Heathcote's plans to target Saturday's 1600-metre feature
Trainer Robbie Heathcote may be forced to change direction with Our Lukas' summer campaign if the Ipswich Cup winner is successful in the Listed Recognition Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Our Lukas showed a ton of courage to fight back to down Secrets Untold in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm earlier this month.
The win was the six-year-old's first victory since he triumphed in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) in June and confirmed Heathcote's plans to target Saturday's 1600-metre feature and a 1600-metre Quality at Doomben on December 12.
Our Lukas will be one of three runners Heathcote will saddle up in the Recognition Stakes along with Humma and Kentish Rose.
"The plan was to run Our Lukas in the Brisbane Handicap then the Recognition and the Quality race next month," Heathcote said.
"But if he happens to win the Recognition then I could be forced to take him to Sydney for the Villiers.
"I'd prefer to keep him home for logistical reasons but I may be left with no alternative if he wins the Recognition."
The Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) will be run at Randwick on December 19.
Heathcote is treading warily with a possible Sydney trip which is a costly exercise for owners.
"It's not easy taking horses away interstate and it's very costly," Heathcote said.
"I took Funtantes to Sydney for the (Listed) Heritage Stakes at Rosehill a couple of months ago."
The filly was beaten only a long neck by Stryker in the 1200m Heritage on September 19.
Funtantes, who subsequently finished fifth to Shellscrape in the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in October, is spelling ahead of an assault on the Brisbane winter carnival next year.
Leading jockey Larry Cassidy won the Ipswich Cup on Our Lukas but Brad Pengelly has been the gelding's rider in his three starts this campaign and has retained the mount for the Recognition Stakes.
"Larry lost the ride when he got off him one day to ride Zahas Pride and Brad has ridden him every start this campaign so he'll be back on again," Heathcote said.
Heathcote won't be surprised to see Humma and Kentish Rose produce strong performances against Our Lukas.
Humma has won twice over 1600 metres and has had three starts this campaign including his latest effort when seventh, beaten less than four lengths, by Our Lukas in the Brisbane Handicap.
Kentish Rose produced a better performance to finish fourth, just over two lengths away in the same race.
"Kentish Rose is very honest and her form is very consistent but whether she's got the class to win this race is another matter," Heathcote said.
"I was also quite happy with Humma's run in the Brisbane Handicap.
"He's been a bit unlucky in some of his races because he's been getting too far back on leader-biased tracks.
"I naturally favour Our Lukas following his Brisbane Handicap win but the other two will run well."