Trainer Robbie Heathcote is hoping his late change of plans with Bell Academy will reap rewards at Eagle Farm.Heathcote, who claimed Brisbane trainers' honours for the first time last season, hadn't planned to start Bell Academy in Saturday's Cullen Handicap until he noticed the small number of nominations for the 1800-metre race."I was going to run him tomorrow week over 2200 metres but I threw in a late nomination for tomorrow's race when I saw the small field," Heathcote said.Heathcote believ

Trainer Robbie Heathcote is hoping his late change of plans with Bell Academy will reap rewards at Eagle Farm.

Heathcote, who claimed Brisbane trainers' honours for the first time last season, hadn't planned to start Bell Academy in Saturday's Cullen Handicap until he noticed the small number of nominations for the 1800-metre race.

"I was going to run him tomorrow week over 2200 metres but I threw in a late nomination for tomorrow's race when I saw the small field," Heathcote said.

Heathcote believes Bell Academy is still six months away from reaching his full potential despite the gelding's victory as a three-year-old in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm last year.

Bell Academy has won only twice in 13 starts since his Grand Prix Stakes triumph.

The first was in February this year when he scored over 2020 metres at Doomben while his most recent victory was two starts back over 1640 metres at Doomben on July 11.

The son of Royal Academy produced a below-par performance last start when only 10th to Crossthestart over 2020 metres at Doomben on July 25.

"I was a little disappointed with his last run," Heathcote said.

"He raced a little flat but it was only his third start from a spell and I'm prepared to forgive him.

"He's working well and we've gone for a claim on him this time."

Talented apprentice Owen Turpin will take over from experienced jockey Glen Colless who rode Bell Academy last start.

"With Owen's three-kilo claim he gets in well with only 54 kilograms and he should give this a shake," Heathcote said.

"But I'm not oozing confidence because of his less than satisfactory run last time.

"I think he'll make a good stayer but you won't see the best from him until next preparation.

"One more spell and he should start to hit his straps and I hope to set him for the big staying races next year, including the Queensland Cup."

Heathcote is hoping a win from Bell Academy will help pay the expenses for a short skiing holiday at Perisher Valley next week.

"It's been a long hard year and after Saturday I'm taking a short break to go skiing," he said.

Bell Academy's chances could hinge on trainer David Murphy's decision whether to run Armstrong Jones who suffered a setback midweek.

Armstrong Jones, a last-start winner over 1615 metres at Doomben, hurt his knee in a sand roll accident on Wednesday.

Murphy also has Deacon entered for the race and will decide on Saturday which of his pair will run.

"I took Armstrong Jones to the beach today and his knee has improved a lot," Murphy said.

"I'll see how it is in the morning before deciding if he'll run but I'll only start one of them."