Trainer Rob Heathcote will defer a decision until later this week whether to start Ipswich Cup winner Our Lukas in the Caloundra Cup or make a late dash north for the Rockhampton Cup.Our Lukas has been nominated for both features on Saturday but track conditions will determine which venue Heathcote starts the five-year-old.The Listed $200,000 Caloundra Cup carries first prize of $128,000, double the stakes money for the $100,000 Rockhampton Cup.Heathcote will be in Rockhampton for the 2000m feat
Trainer Rob Heathcote will defer a decision until later this week whether to start Ipswich Cup winner Our Lukas in the Caloundra Cup or make a late dash north for the Rockhampton Cup.
Our Lukas has been nominated for both features on Saturday but track conditions will determine which venue Heathcote starts the five-year-old.
The Listed $200,000 Caloundra Cup carries first prize of $128,000, double the stakes money for the $100,000 Rockhampton Cup.
Heathcote will be in Rockhampton for the 2000m feature with Our Lukas' stablemate, On The Up, who will be floated north on Friday.
"I was at Caloundra last Sunday and the track was the wettest I've seen it," Heathcote said.
"With the weather we're currently getting in Brisbane you'd expect it to be the same at Caloundra so the track might dry out.
"But the forecast isn't good for later in the week so it might be a very heavy track if the rain comes."
Heathcote was buoyed when Our Lukas drew gate six at Wednesday's barrier draw for the Caloundra Cup and has a slight leaning towards running him in the 2400m feature.
"I'm not sure what will happen at Caloundra. The races could all be moved to the cushion track with the exception of the Caloundra Cup and Glasshouse Sprint if it becomes too wet," he said.
"I'll probably still run Our Lukas at Caloundra but I won't make a final decision until later on."
Heathcote, who is closing in on his first Brisbane trainers' premiership, predicted Our Lukas would win the Ipswich Cup after the son of Generous won at Doomben in late May.
Heathcote hasn't ruled out taking Our Lukas interstate for the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) next month and is supported by jockey Larry Cassidy who believes the stayer can take the next step in his career.
"It's possible Our Lukas might go on to the Grafton Cup but long term I'm looking at the Summer Cup at Randwick in December," he said.
Our Lukas has been a great money spinner for owners John Taylor of South Africa and Barry and Christine O'Toole from Phillip Island in Victoria.
He has earned a cheque at every start for his connections who bought him only 10 months ago.
Meanwhile last year's Stradbroke Handicap winner Mr Baritone drew gate 20 for the Listed Bruce McLachlan Glasshouse Handicap (1400m).
Trainer Pat Duff will be represented by Hard To Catch (15) and noted wet tracker Cocktail Supreme who drew gate seven.
Glen Boss is booked to ride Mr Baritone before he heads to the United States to ride New Zealand filly Puttanesca in the American Oaks (2000m) at Hollywood Park.
Mr Baritone has not won a race since the 2008 Stradbroke, but finished fourth in this year's running of the Group One sprint (1400m) at Eagle Farm.