Under The Louvre has been backed into 2015 Kevin Heffernan Stakes odds of $3 and trainer Robert Smerdon believes that the Group 3 race at Sandown tomorrow is ideal for the talented sprinter.
Under The Louvre has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown tomorrow. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Under The Louvre has not recorded a race win since he took out the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on March 28, but he has performed well without winning during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.
The Excellent Art entire returned to the races in the Group 3 Theshark.com.au Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 29 and he was never able to get into the race after being settled at the tail of the field before he absolutely savaged the line late to finish second behind Churchill Dancer in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 12.
Under The Louvre looked as though he was going to record a maiden win at Group 1 level when he hit the front at the 150 metre mark of the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 26, but he peaked on his run and finished third behind Stratum Star and Disposition.
His unlucky run continued when he made up plenty of ground late against the pattern of the day to finish second behind Vashka in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 17 and he never had a chance when he was tapped in the worst part of the track in the Group 2 TAB.com.au Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31.
Smerdon admits that it has been frustrating not to win a race with Under The Lovure during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, but he believes that Sandown and 1300 metres are both ideal scenarios for the five-year-old in the 2015 Kevin Heffernan Stakes.
“1400 stretches him and he is almost a 1350 horse, but that trip and the big track look a good profile for him,” Smerdon said.
“He gets his chance and he seems to be holding up to his racing really well.”
Under The Louvre has been backed into 2015 Kevin Heffernan Stakes odds of $3 with Ladbrokes after opening at $3.60 and he is now a clear favourite from Godolphin-owned Generalife ($3.50), the resuming Smokin’ Joey ($6), Group 1 winner Famous Seamus ($8), Peter Moody-trained Bring Me The Maid ($13) and Manfred Stakes winner Java ($14).
