Generalife and Java Looking For Late Glory

Time/Date - 14.10hrs local time/Saturday, November 14
Course/Country - Sandown/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1300m

The talented sprinters Generalife (pictured) and Java get their final chances to earn spring credits when they run in the G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown on Saturday, November 14.

For Generalife (John O'Shea/James McDonald) the race provides an opportunity to add to his excellent form of last autumn and winter when he tackled some of the country's best sprinters.

The son of Lonhro took on such G1 stars as Horse of the Year Dissident, Boban and Srikandi, and ran them all close when previously in work.

"Last autumn he was only a length behind Dissident at G1 level at Randwick. And in the winter he got beaten in a three-way photo by Boban in the Doomben 10,000," O'Shea said.

"He's run into some of the best horses going around and raced very respectably against them."

Generalife has maintained that form in two runs this spring, finishing a close sixth to the classy Terravista at G2 level at Randwick and was then fifth from a difficult gate in a G2 at Flemington. He also finished a close second in this race 12 months ago.

"This is going to suit him better, it's a bit easier and the 1300m and the long straight give him his chance."

Java (Lee and Anthony Freedman/Dwayne Dunn) is also ready to produce his best after two runs this time in, the latest an eighth when outpaced behind Fast 'n' Rocking in Listed company at Caulfield.

"He'd run very well before that and I think he'll appreciate this a lot more," said co-trainer Lee Freedman.

"The track holds no fears for him, he's won here twice. I think he'll be in the thick of it."

Java's Sandown wins came in successive runs last summer when he put together four victories on end.

Among the strongest opposition confronting the Godolphin pair is the consistent and talented sprinter Under The Louvre who will also be suited by the long Sandown straight.