Tough gelding Lordag can earn himself a new career as a stayer if he races well at 1800 metres at the Gold Coast.

Lordag will step up from sprint distances in Saturday's Open Handicap.

Trainer Robert Heathcote has always had a high opinion of Lordag and took him to Melbourne for the spring carnival two years ago.

He has been racing well at sprint distances since a spell but is finding it hard to win.

Lordag's last win was in January last year which took his career victories to six with 13 minor placings.

"He has won and been second at his only two starts at 1800 metres earlier in his career," Heathcote said.

"But with Eagle Farm being out of play for most of the recent years there haven't been many city 1800 metre races," Heathcote said.

"We have been keeping him to the shorter races and he tries hard. But they are a bit sharp for him as he gets older."

Heathcote said it was an experiment to get Lordag out to 1800m in open company races.

"They might still be a bit slick for him on Saturday," he said.

"But if he goes OK I think I will try him at least around the 2000 metre mark."