Racing: O'Shea seeks to freshen his star

SYDNEY - Trainer John O'Shea will try to "rejuvenate" star galloper Racing To Win ahead of what could be his last preparation aimed at the Sydney autumn and Brisbane winter carnivals.

The 7-year-old had a torrid run in transit when second to last to Good Ba Ba in the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday but O'Shea had no excuses.

"Look, no excuses. He had a great latter part of the week leading into today [Sunday]," O'Shea said on his website.

"He did receive a wide run in transit, but today just wasn't his day."

The Randwick trainer said the grey would be brought home and prepared for what could be his last hurrah.

"We'll get him home and try and rejuvenate him for the autumn as it will be likely that it is his last preparation," O'Shea said.

The Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 3 was a likely Sydney target with the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) on May 22 again a Brisbane goal.

Meanwhile, astute Queensland trainer Robbie Heathcote is hoping Ipswich Cup winner Our Lukas will be the horse to break his Sydney hoodoo in the group two Villiers Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Heathcote has had several placegetters in Sydney, including Funtantes, who was a long neck second to Stryker in the listed Heritage Stakes in September, but is still chasing an elusive win.

"I've had a few seconds but I've never won one," Heathcote said.

"We recently ran second in the Heritage with Funtantes and we were a bit unlucky there, and I ran second in a Summer Cup a few years ago with Game On.

"I'm hoping to break my maiden."

Heathcote has taken the precaution of nominating Our Lukas for a 2020m Open Handicap at Doomben on Saturday but is favouring a trip to Randwick.

He has had the Villiers (1600m) in mind since Our Lukas led throughout in the listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) in June.

"As far back as then we looked at the Christmas programme. He is a dual listed winner so you need to look at some of the better races.

"He is an Ipswich Cup winner over 2150m and, in my experience, you need a good 2000m horse to win a tough mile race at Randwick like the Villiers."

Our Lukas won the listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm at his third run back from a spell then lost all winning chance in the Recognition Stakes (1600m) last start when his saddle slipped and he beat just one runner home.

Michael Cahill has been booked to ride him in the Villiers, which has attracted 17 nominations.

- AAP