Darryl Sherer
Legless Veuve caught punters unaware when resuming last time in but trainer Stuart Webb admits he has also underestimated the talented mare in the past.
Webb is likely to start Legless Veuve's spring campaign in the Gr.3 The Heath (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Legless Veuve has scored at her last two first-up runs with her fresh record including a win over Hey Doc in the Gr.3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February.
The Caulfield-based Webb said the mare's appearance always gave him the impression she was a run short of full fitness but she had proven him wrong on a few occasions, including in a pleasing jumpout at Caulfield last Tuesday.
"She's one that I do underestimate. I just think, 'you're such a big gross thing and you're a run away'," Webb said.
"I thought she'd need that jumpout more than she did. I thought she'd take her rider to the 600m but she took him all the way to the finish."
Legless Veuve has raced handy to the speed in her three wins but Webb would ask Saturday's jockey Luke Currie to ride the daughter of Pins further back in The Heath. Webb has removed the blinkers from Legless Veuve's gear.
"We're going to try and start riding her a little bit colder and see where we end up," Webb said.
Legless Veuve has drawn barrier four for the A$150,000 race.
"A good barrier allows her to just fall out of the gates and get some cover and come to the corner and have one good run at them," Webb said. -racenet.com.au