Sir Lucan is eyeing consecutive victories in the Winter Cup (2400m), but his current fitness could be a decisive factor after a different build-up compared to last year’s triumph.

Last season, the gelding peaked at his fourth run in a campaign to win the Listed race. This year, he heads into the event second-up, following a last-place finish in the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m), where he settled at the tail and was never a threat.

“He just got too far back the other day,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said.

“He can win a race of that quality at this time of year. But he is only second-up so he will probably improve again.”

The six-year-old boasts two previous wins when second-up and went close in the Gosford Cup earlier this year after an unremarkable return in Sydney.

A win would place Sir Lucan among a rare few to have claimed the Winter Cup twice, a feat last achieved by Destiny’s Kiss in 2013 and 2019, and before that by Royal Bark in 1962 and 1963.

Bott and Gai Waterhouse will also saddle up Bear On The Loose, who stretches to 2400m for the first time since arriving from Europe.

Bear On The Loose chased home Glory Daze over 2000m last start and appears ready to handle the longer journey after three conditioning runs.

“It was a good run last start. He is versatile in the conditions and should appreciate the trip,” Bott said.

“He is still lightly raced and still progressive.”

The Winter Cup has drawn a field of 14, with Kris Lees’ Changingoftheguard the topweight at 59kg. Sir Lucan carries 57kg, while Bear On The Loose is at the 53kg minimum.

Changingoftheguard is first-up from a spell, having last been seen finishing second in the spring’s Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill.