Dunn back on Under The Louvre in G2 race

Dwayne Dunn will be reunited with Stradbroke Handicap winner Under The Louvre when the sprinter chases his first Flemington straight-track victory in the Bobbie Lewis Quality.

Dunn won the Group One Stradbroke on Under The Louvre in June but was aboard rival runner Santa Ana Lane when the horse made his spring return in the Group Three Heath (1100m) at Caulfield.

He had taken another ride when connections of Under The Louvre were unsure if he would run.

“He wasn’t prepared to wait,” trainer Robert Smerdon said.

“But I was happy to have Nick Hall on last start and was happy with his efforts.

“Obviously Dwayne won a good race on him, so he gets back on him on Saturday.”

Under The Louvre has won at Flemington but not on the straight course.

He was narrowly beaten by Churchill Dancer in last year’s Bobbie Lewis (1200m) and was a luckless runner later that campaign when sixth in a Group Two straight-sprint.

Under The Louvre just failed to reel in front-runner Redzel first-up but Smerdon was still encouraged by the performance.

“I probably went in expecting him to win the race so I was disappointed we didn’t, but he had nothing to cart him into the race and he had to sustain a long run from a fair way back,” he said.

“I thought his effort was very good in defeat and it probably indicates he’s going as good as he ever has.”

After Saturday, Under The Louvre will step back up to Group One company in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and possibly the Manikato.

Under The Louvre is still a stallion, so another Group One on his resume would enhance his prospects at stud.

Smerdon said there had been some interest from breeders after the autumn.

“There was interest. I don’t know how far it got, but it didn’t eventuate,” he said.

“But maybe he gets an opportunity later on.”