Our Lukas Tracks The Same Winning Course

Stathi Katsidis cheers after winning on Our Lukas (Noel Pascoe photo)

Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote is keen to see Our Lukas follow in the hoof prints he made in the 2009 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival again this year.

Last year he backed up from a third in the Listed P.J. O’Sullivan Handicap 1600m to win the Listed Ipswich Cup 2150m a week later.

This time round, Our Lukas won the renamed Listed XXXX Gold Strawberry Road Handicap on Saturday, June 12 at Eagle Farm and is primed for another successful Ipswich Cup run.

Heathcote was confident heading into the race following on from Our Lukas’ second behind the short-priced favourite and eventual Group 2 Queensland Guineas winner that same day, Rothesay, in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup three weeks earlier.

“I was surprised so many people steered away from him because his run behind Rothesay was huge,” said Heathcote. He had to make two or three runs, he dropped some five kilos today and with Stathi Katsidis and barrier three we knew we were going to get a nice run. We got it and did the job.

“His first couple of runs this prep he had a few problems with his feet. That’s why we had to give him a break between runs last start. He came back and ran a blinder with 59kg (Lord Mayor’s Cup) and he’s done it today so we’re very happy.”

Stathi Katsidis was onboard for the win and he made the astute decision to track known race leader Rockdale (Damian Browne).

As they hit the straight, Our Lukas came around Rockdale, put the pressure on, and got past to claim the win by a length and a quarter.

Rockdale held on for second, half a length in front of Eire of Magic (Michael Walker).

“He’s always about that slow away,” explained Katsidis. “I generally like to draw out on the outside fence on him because you can take your time going forward on him.

“If I got stuck behind a slow one early…he could end up back in the field and probably can’t win from there.

“I was lucky that Rockdale drew (barrier) two and we could follow him.”

The confidence between Katsidis and Heathcote leads to Our Lukas running a good run at Ipswich.

Katsidis thinks extra distance will suit the six-year-old and an outside barrier would be beneficial.

Heathcote knows he can back up and that he’s won the Ipswich Cup before.

All will be revealed in less than a week.

QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – June 15