So often the bridesmaid, the stars finally aligned for the Robert Smerdon-trained Under The Louvre who turned the tables on his Group 1 Goodwood Handicap conqueror Black Heart Bart in Saturday's $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
Under an inspired ride by Dwayne Dunn, Under The Louvre saw off courageous Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars) by a short half-head with three and a
Never further back than third in five attempts at the highest level Under The Louvre thoroughly deserved his victory that advances his overall record to 9 wins, 7 seconds and 6 thirds from 29 starts for earnings of $1,761,701.
It was his third stakes win but his connections have endured a heart-stopping 11 stakes places.
"I just had a little better run than Black Heart Bart in transit," Dunn said.
"He beat me in Adelaide and we were able to turn the tables.
"He's a great horse and deserves to win his Group 1."
Winning trainer Robert Smerdon said getting beaten in the Goodwood may have been a blessing in disguise.
"If we win in Adelaide we don't win today," Smerdon said.
"He went up in weight and we didn't. If we hadn't met him 2kg better we probably couldn't beat him.
"He's been such a genuine horse and he's been so competitive at the highest level for a long time.
"But he's a 1350m horse so the 1400m was always an ask.
"Dwayne always had the back of Black Heart Bart and even when he got to him I wasn't sure because I know that 1350m is his best go, but he toughed it out and found the line really well."
A $50,000 purchase by Aquanita Racing from the Kanangra
Bred by Denise Cobcroft, Under The Louvre hails from a family nurtured by the Cobcroft's for many years, beginning with Under The Louvre's fifth dam Vista Anna.
The Cobcroft's can boast breeding two of the four stakes winners in Australia by former shuttler Excellent Art (IRE) as Listed Reginald Allen Quality winner
Under The Louvre becomes the first Group 1 winner for Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes winner Excellent Art (Pivotal) who now stands in India.
