Although Rod Lyons doesn’t own a share in The Inflictor or Call Da Vinci, the well-known racing figure will be watching Saturday’s Eagle Farm Group 1 events with high hopes.
Both horses are progeny of Under The Louvre, the galloper who famously gave Lyons his biggest thrill when winning the 2016 Stradbroke Handicap.
The Inflictor will chase glory in the same 1400m contest, now offering $3 million in prize money, while Call Da Vinci lines up in the JJ Atkins (1600m) for juveniles.
They’ll become the first Group 1 runners for Under The Louvre, a son of Excellent Art, and Lyons is delighted that this milestone happens on a day full of fond memories.
“He was a good honest horse who gave his all,” Lyons said.
“He was a backmarker and there was a couple of races that he probably should have won but being a backmarker (he didn’t).
“He was an honest horse with an electric turn of foot when he was right.
“Stradbroke day was fantastic. A whole gang of us went up there, it was just a wonderful day and a very exciting win.”
The Stradbroke victory was the pinnacle of Under The Louvre’s 36-start career, which also included Group placings in the The Goodwood, Oakleigh Plate and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Under The Louvre now stands at Grandview Stud and The Inflictor comes from his third crop. Trained by Craig Cousins, the gelding has won six of 22 starts and earned a Stradbroke berth with a Doomben win on May 24 over 1350m, following a third in Listed grade at the Gold Coast.
Call Da Vinci, a Bevan Laming-trained juvenile, has two wins and two placings from four starts, including a Group 2 third in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
Both are among four Stakes performers for Under The Louvre, whose only Black Type winner to date is Exotique Miss in the Daybreak Lover.
Now aged 14, the stallion has sired 171 winners – 57 this season alone – putting him on course to eclipse his record of 61 in a season.
One of those winners is Allouvre, trained by Symon Wilde and racing in Lyons’ colours. She won at Swan Hill last weekend, the same venue where Under The Louvre claimed his maiden.
“Most of the mares he’s had hadn’t been the greatest of pedigrees and he’s managed still to win a lot of races and now have a couple of runners in Group Ones,” Lyons said.
The Inflictor will carry 51kg under Cejay Graham in the Stradbroke and is a $15 chance, while Call Da Vinci, drawn in barrier 14, is rated $34 with Zac Lloyd in the JJ Atkins.
