A hot and bothered Loutrel failed to live up to expectations on debut but hopes are high he can turn things around on Saturday.
The two-year-old was distressed after he finished last of eight at Warwick Farm on a steamy Australia Day and his trainer Gary Portelli was concerned his campaign was over as soon as it began.
But his win in a subsequent barrier trial has reassured him the colt is ready to continue and he will take his place in the Listed Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
“The heat got to him at Warwick Farm,” Portelli said.
“We had him scoped after the trial and it was clear.
“He will wear a tongue tie as a precaution on Saturday because I thought he might have got worked up and choked down.”
Loutrel was on the pace before he weakened badly in the Warwick Farm race but Portelli said he had learned more about him from the trial.
“He got back and ran very fast final sectionals,” he said.
“So we’ll be changing tactics from Warwick Farm. He will be ridden quietly and given the chance to finish off.”
Loutrel won’t be looking his best when he goes to the races after having five stitches to a cut above his right eye, sustained when he became fractious during a storm on Sunday night.
Portelli’s vet is happy it won’t affect him and he will be examined at Rosehill before the race.
The colt will be ridden by Jason Collett who also has the mount on the Portelli-trained Rebel Dane in the Royal Sovereign Stakes.
Rebel Dane is unbeaten in three restricted starts and takes the first step in what his trainer hopes will be a lucrative autumn campaign.
Loutrel is one of 10 acceptors for the Canonbury which also features the return of the Gai Waterhouse-trained Whittington, winner of the season’s first juvenile stakes race, the Breeders’ Plate in October.
Gerald Ryan will be represented by Galeforce Ten, a full brother to the now retired Melito, a dual Group One winner of the 2010 TJ Smith Stakes and Winter Stakes.
