Our Lukas Becomes Ipswich's Own Legend

Our Lukas went neck to neck with Frozone down the Ipswich straight

Our Lukas made his way into the history books in front of a 24,000 plus crowd at Ipswich on Saturday, June 19.

The Robert Heathcote-trained six-year-old gelding became the first horse to ever win the Listed Channel 7 Ipswich Cup 2150m back-to-back.

When he won the Listed XXXX Gold Strawberry Road Handicap 1600m the week before at Eagle Farm, he may have gained inspiration from that day’s dual Stradbroke Handicap winner Black Piranha.

“A few people have said today you’re going to have create history to win this Cup back-to-back and carry the weight that he’s done and full credit to the horse,” said Heathcote.

Our Lukas (Generous IRE-Parfore NZ) was guided from the outside barrier 14 by a 56kg Stathi Katsidis.

They jumped well and got the spot behind race leader Sir Time Keeper (Laura Cheshire).

Scott Seamer guided Frozone around to overtake Our Lukas.

Before the turn, Frozone then made his move on Sir Time Keeper to take the lead.

In the straight Our Lukas put in his charge and battled it out with Frozone for the win.

As the two went neck and neck it came down to a bob of the head with the titleholder winning by a nose.

Paul Hammersley, who picked up a treble that day, guided home Warrior Within for third a length behind.

“I’ll be honest I doubted it with 200m to go,” admitted Heathcote. “I thought he looks like he might be gone but as I said to the owner, his biggest asset is not his speed, it’s his strength.

“I think he out toughed them today and to do that on a track that’s probably not conducive to him I’m pretty delighted.”

It was truly a history making day as Ipswich celebrated its 150th year of racing. The Ipswich Turf Club hosted a record crowd as retiring race caller Wayne Wilson called his last Ipswich Cup.

Katsidis also had a hot tip the electric atmosphere of Cup day contributed to the $3.40 race favourite producing the goods.

“He even jumped better than he probably ever had since I’ve been riding him,” he said. “I think the crowd got him fired up.

“All the electronic music up there near the barriers really got him fired up.

“We might have to get some of that behind the gates for him all the time when he races.

“I wanted to put my hands in the air like I just don’t care!”

Jokes aside, owners John Taylor and Barry O’Toole were enthralled with having Katsidis aboard.

“When John first met Stathi he walked away and he said to me, ‘god he exudes confidence that bloke doesn’t he’,” said Heathcote.

Robert Heathcote with his wife Vicky who coordinated her attire to match Our Lukas’ winning colours (Noel Pascoe photos)

“I mean that’s Stathi to a T.”

Katsidis posted a double on Cup day also taking out the first race of the day aboard the Hawkes-trained Rainbow Styling in the Optus Business Ipswich Mile Handicap 1666m.

Heathcote, who is also in top form, was exuding confidence himself in the lead up to the Cup.

Following a similar campaign with Our Lukas as last year, Brisbane’s leading trainer had plenty of faith Our Lukas could do it again.

“I’ve never had any doubts about the horse staying,” said the hardworking trainer. “A lot of people have.

“He’s gone from a mile on a backup today and he’s out toughed them.

“The last couple of years have been surreal to a degree.

“I was a little bit touched last week when Peter Moody put his arm around me walking up the stairs (following the Strawberry Road win). He said a dozen years ago we started and we were a couple of young battlers coming into Ipswich.

“I’m 20 in front in Brisbane and he’s 30 in front in Melbourne.”

Peter Moody originally trained Our Lukas.

“He sent him up to me as a class 1 and Peter said to me last week I did a good job pre-training him for you,” said Heathcote.

Our Lukas has also changed ownership hands and no doubt Taylor and O’Toole feel pleased with their decision to buy the horse who has now chalked up over half a million dollars in prizemoney.

The second Ipswich Cup win was the first Taylor was able to see in the flesh and he was impressed with what he saw at the provincial track.

“I’ve travelled the length and breadth of the world and when I look around this is really benchmark stuff,” he said.

Heathcote was thankful of his staff and connections in accepting the victory.

Melissa Leitch in particular was credited with much of the horse’s success.

“She rides him all the time,” Heathcote said. “She comes in every afternoon and we take him down the beach.”

Leitch was overwhelmed with the win. She joined connections to revel in the win and enjoy a few celebratory drinks on the Saturday night.

“They tasted good out of the Cup last year and they’ll be even better this year,” indicated Heathcote after the history making win.

QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – June 21