The opening race on a mega eight-race programme, this year’s Villiers Stakes’ nominations are in and the 17 hopefuls include a top quality collection of runners including Ipswich Cup winner Our Lukas.

Queensland trainer Robbie Heathcote is vying for his first Sydney victory with Our Lukas in the Villiers on Saturday after coming an unlucky second in the Listed Heritage Stakes in September with Funtantes.

Our Lukas is also nominated for an Open Handicap event at Doomben on Saturday, with Heathcote making his decision on which race to run the dual Listed winner in later in the week.

Peter Snowden, coming off a sensational set of four victories at Rosehill last weekend, has three runners nominated, Gosford Cup winner Spinney, Offenders and Togni as he attempts his first Villiers victory.

Meanwhile the prolific Gai Waterhouse is expected to pay up for both her nominees Rockwood and Rabbuka as she aims for a second win in the race following her victory back in 2005 with Aqua D’Amore.

The trainer dominating the Sydney trainer’s premiership this season with 33 city winners to date, Chris Waller will also face off against Snowden and Waterhouse on Saturday when he starts Love And Kisses in the Villiers. Waller has also won the race once before in 2007 by protest with Honor In War.