Trainer Rob Heathcote concedes Our Lukas faces a daunting challenge to smash a weight-carrying record to become the first horse to win three Ipswich Cups on Saturday.Our Lukas will receive topweight of 58 kilograms from Racing Queensland handicappers when weights for Saturday's 2150-metre Listed feature are officially released on Wednesday.Our Lukas carried 53kg when he won the Ipswich Cup for the first time in 2009 before lumping 56kg to victory last year.Golden Rhapsody holds the weight-carryi
Trainer Rob Heathcote concedes Our Lukas faces a daunting challenge to smash a weight-carrying record to become the first horse to win three Ipswich Cups on Saturday.
Our Lukas will receive topweight of 58 kilograms from Racing Queensland handicappers when weights for Saturday's 2150-metre Listed feature are officially released on Wednesday.
Our Lukas carried 53kg when he won the Ipswich Cup for the first time in 2009 before lumping 56kg to victory last year.
Golden Rhapsody holds the weight-carrying record since the race turned metric in 1973 when he carried 56.5kg to victory in 1981.
The Ipswich Cup was first run in 1860 and Our Lukas became the first horse to win it twice when successful last year.
Heathcote is concerned Our Lukas is down on form this year compared to his previous victories.
Shane Scriven will be reunited with Our Lukas who was ridden by Glen Colless when 11th to Willy Jimmy in the Listed Strawberry Road Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Heathcote will know soon after the start whether Our Lukas has a chance of rewriting the history books.
"He missed the start and got back in the Strawberry Road and he can't afford to do that in the Ipswich Cup," Heathcote said.
"He was the first to win two Ipswich Cups but if he's got any chance of making it three he'll need to get out and get rolling and be in the first three straight after the jump.
"Whenever he misses the start he generally finishes well back. He can't do that in an Ipswich Cup."
Heathcote is mystified as to why Our Lukas has lost his way over the past month.
"I can't put my finger on it," he said.
"When he came back from a break he ran second to Scenic Shot in the (Listed) Member's Quality at Eagle Farm and only got beaten in the last stride.
"Then he put in three ordinary runs. I'm not sure whether the hard run against Scenic Shot may have flattened him or what but I've taken him to the beach to get him focused again but nothing seems to be working."
Heathcote is more confident of his chances in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) with Gundy Son.
Gundy Sun produced a powerful finish to win the Listed Chief De Beers Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on May 28.
"Gundy's going really well," Heathcote said.
"He came back from a spell and just got beaten at Doomben then came out and won the Listed race last start.
"If he wins again he might end up with the team I take to Melbourne in the spring."