Racing: Nicholson mulls over racing programmes for stablemates

Te Aroha-based trainer Graeme Nicholson is mulling over the immediate racing future of mainstays Sir Time Keeper and Sir Slick after the duo failed to feature in the Ipswich Cup in Queensland on Saturday.

Confident before the 2150m handicap, Nicholson watched as pacesetter Sir Time Keeper was caught entering the home straight and then steadily gave ground to finish a distant 12th behind back-to-back winner - and pre-race favourite - Our Lukas.

Eight-year-old gelding Sir Slick was a nonentity throughout the 125th race of a career that has reaped more than $1.7 million and tailed the field in 14th.

Racing his iron horses for the fifth weekend in succession at the Queensland winter carnival, Nicholson now has to decide whether a sixth start is warranted at the Tattersall's Racing Club meeting at Eagle Farm next Saturday.

Nicholson last week acknowledged criticism for the demands he places on his horses and there seems little prospect of respite when the carnival returns to Brisbane. Sir Time Keeper appears likely to be entered for the group three A$200,000 Tattersalls Cup (2200m), the 3-year-old's last assignment before a well deserved rest.

Nicholson's plan last week was to spell Sir Timekeeper until a return to racing in the spring at Hastings.

A decision would then be made on bringing him back across the Tasman to Melbourne in October for a tilt at the iconic Cox Plate in October at Moonee Valley.

Our Lukas retained the cup for trainer Rob Heathcote by the narrowest of margins, outstriding Frozone to score by a nose. Warrior Within was third.

Jockey Stathi Katsidis later conceded he was within one stride of losing the race.

"Scott [Seamer] thought he had won, his horse has got a longer neck than mine," he said on Saturday.

"But my bloke got there, fortunately."

Katsidis expertly guided Our Lukas across from barrier 14 to sit behind Sir Time Keeper, biding his time before powering clear on the run home to pip Frozone at the post.

"It was history today and he's done it, this is pretty exciting," Heathcote said after Our Lukas became the first horse since World War 11 to win consecutive Ipswich Cups.

He also carried the biggest weight by a winner (58.5kg) since Rhapsody won with 56kg on its back in 1981.

"To be honest, I doubted at the 200m he was going to win, I thought he might be gone but this horse's greatest asset is not his speed but his strength," Heathcote said.

"I've never had any doubts about this horse's ability to stay, others may have but I haven't," he said.

"We will head to Caloundra now. I'm confident the others will know he's there."

Michael Moroney's Calatrava was the best placed of New Zealand's Ipswich Cup contingent, finishing sixth. Pukekohe stayer Solid Billing finished midfield with Sand Hawk (Jenny Vance) further back.

- NZPA