Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.
Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.
The three-year-old by Snitzel advanced from maiden honours at start two last November to victory in the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) only 30 days on, an impressive early record.
Litt avoids overhyping her comeback in the Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick this Saturday, but anticipates positive outcomes for owners Wendy and Ottavio Galletta, previous partners in his Group 1 coups.
"They've had a few good horses, and they've also had a few very slow horses," Litt said.
"They're not cheap, horses, they're big investments, and they'd have seven or eight horses, so I'm very excited for them.
"But we keep our heads on. Anything can happen in racing and we're just happy to be there on Saturday."
Caffe Florian took a concise holiday after her Gosford Guineas conquest, with the Sydney autumn series firmly in sight.
Primarily aimed at the Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) over 1200m at Randwick come April 11, a contest that boosted Joliestar in 2024 and Classique Legend back in 2019.
She turned heads with a late surge during a recent trial and retains sharpness from summer, setting up Litt for an encouraging first-up effort.
"We didn't want to overtax her in the barrier trial, just give her a nice, easy dash and she has really come on from that nicely," Litt said.
"There is still lots of improvement to come, and there's a lot of water to go under the bridge, but all being well our grand final is the Arrowfield.
"She's not screwed down 110 per cent for Saturday, but she will still run a nice race."
Raging Force has been pulled out in favour of the Challenge Stakes (1000m), leaving a nine-horse lineup where impressive colt Beadman leads betting.
Find competitive online bookmakers offering odds on the upcoming Fireball Stakes.
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