Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements

Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.

The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education, skills, and opportunities for children and young women worldwide who face poverty, conflict, and disadvantage.

Littlefield hopes to emulate the achievement of Lizzie Jelfs, who secured victory in the Magnolia Cup, marking the commencement of Ladies Day at Goodwood in 2024.

This year's race is slated for Thursday, July 30.

Having spent her formative years in the vicinity of Goodwood, Littlefield has been dedicating more time to riding trackwork and frequenting the gym in her pursuit of winning the Magnolia Cup.

"I started taking it a little easier on trackwork over the last six to 12 months because of the good riders available and I like to watch trackwork, but it's been good for me as I've got back into it and I've really focussed on the riding," Littlefield stated.

"I love it and I think that's one of my strengths as a trainer being able to ride my own horses and I've ridden more each morning, ridden a few more gallops, and really enjoying it."

Littlefield conveyed that she has been treating the training regimen seriously due to the race supporting a worthy cause.

She indicated that the physical exertion has resulted in a reduction in her weight and an enhancement of her overall fitness, as she wants to avoid feeling overwhelmed during the race.

"I've been at the gym twice a week," Littlefield mentioned.

"I'm not very good at the gym, so I've had to have some personal training with Maddison Morris who had to drive me quite hard at the start and keep me focussed.

"I wanted to lose a few kilos while also being nice and strong and fit and not too heavy."

Littlefield shared that a significant number of her supporters are planning to attend Goodwood, including her father, who is travelling from the south of France.

"I used to live down the road (from Goodwood), so it's come full circle," Littlefield commented.

"My Dad, who has never really got to see me in action ever, he's only been out here once, for him to come over and be a part of it, is great.

"I'll have other friends and family members, it's going to be very special."

Littlefield is set to enter three contenders at Flemington this Saturday: Angel In Black in the ATA Trainers' Trust Handicap (1400m), Chowdown in the VRC Member Erica McKissack Trophy (1700m), and Tajanis in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m).

A victory for any of the three would hopefully boost her charity fundraising efforts, and Littlefield is looking forward to Tajanis racing over the extended trip.

"Tajanis would rather it a little bit heavier as I think it's going to dry out a bit, but he's a proper two-mile horse, and to get back up to the 2800 metres after running over 2500 metres will really suit," Littlefield stated.

"He needs every inch of that, and I've done a lot of different work with him to keep that interest.

"Eventually he'll go jumping and we've done a lot of work behind the scenes educating him and for me, it takes a year, at least, to educate one, and next year he will be competitive.

"He's a tough horse, a nice horse to deal with, and I hope he can find that form when he was third in the Sandown Cup."

The field for the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 is expected to be competitive, with many looking to secure their bets with online bookmakers.