Racing Heart will continue his path towards the Sydney spring carnival when he runs in Brisbane tomorrow.

The Robert Heathcote-trained stayer will run in the $50,000 Mt St Michael’s College Open Handicap at Eagle Farm Racecourse against the likes of Saint Encosta.

Racing Heart will run at Eagle Farm before a posible Sydney spring campaign. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Racing Heart will be ridden by apprentice jockey Kirk Matheson in the race, who has been instructed by Heathcote to make sure there is a fast tempo on the day.

“I’ll be telling Kirk to make sure he leads from the outset and ensure it’s a true staying test,” Heathcote said.

“This horse loves a stoush as he showed last start when he won at Doomben and the last thing I want is a slowly-run race that develops into a sit-and-sprint affair.”

The Show A Heart gelding won his last start in the Canadian Club Handicap at Doomben Racecourse, prior to which he second behind Saint Encosta in the Gouldson Legal Open Handicap on August 4.

Heathcote realises that Saint Encosta, along with well-known Brisbane galloper Topping, will prove tough competitors this weekend.

“Saint Encosta has been competitive this campaign in black-type races and Topping was considered good enough to take to Sydney last start so they won’t be pushovers,” he said.

Racing Heart has been nominated for the Group 1 The Metropolitan in Sydney on October 6, despite suggestions that the staying ability in Brisbane is not up to par.

“It really irks me when I hear that because these races are always good, competitive races and they’re never easy to win I can assure you,” Heathcote said.

Racing Heart, who is managed by syndication company Action Thoroughbreds, has now won 11 of his 39 race starts and has earned more than $370,000 in prize money.

The six-year-old was passed in at $36,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and has gone on to win over distances ranging from 1,110 to 2,400 metres.