Tough stayer Art Attack will take the first step towards a northern Cups campaign when he races at Eagle Farm.
Art Attack will be having his first start for trainer Barry Lockwood in the Cascade Handicap (2200m) on Saturday.
The gelding has been a good performer for Coffs Harbour trainer Jenny Graham, winning seven races and $209,000 prize money.
Art Attack was placed at Eagle Farm at his two recent starts and was also placed in the Cessnock Cup and Rosehill Country Classic earlier in his campaign.
Lockwood said Art Attack had recently been bought by one of his stable clients.
“Art Attack will have a couple of starts around here and then head north to Mackay,” Lockwood said.
“The eventual aim is some of the northern Cups which will suit him. They are worth good money this year.”
Art Attack has top weight of 59kg but Lockwood has opted to stick with senior jockey Mark Du Plessis.
“Mark has ridden Art Attack at his past two starts and he seems to go best for senior jockeys,” Lockwood said.
Lockwood also has Invincible Gangsta in the Roku Gin Handicap (1200m) as the gelding tries to recapture the form that eaned him an Eagle Farm win last year.
“He has been placed on soft going and he has drawn well on Saturday,” Lockwood said.
Lockwood has been building up his team in the past month and he won three trials on Tuesday at Eagle Farm including one with two-year-old Kollur.
“I had some nice horses trial and I do like Kollur. Although his time wasn’t flash it was a good win,” he said.
