Litt anticipates improved performance from Barber with better weather

Trainer Richard Litt is hopeful that conditions will finally favour Barber at Randwick, following a preparation hampered by challenging tracks and unfortunate circumstances.

Having been scratched from Rosehill last Saturday due to the rain-affected ground, Barber is now scheduled to participate in the Elite Sand and Soil Handicap (1100m) this weekend. With clear weather anticipated in Sydney, Litt is counting on the sprinter finding conditions to his liking.

"He has been very frustrating," Litt commented. "He's had no luck this 'prep'. I'm ripping my hair out with that horse. Wherever he goes on good ground, he will be very hard to beat. It's just getting that good ground."

Originally a Group winner at two for Godolphin, Barber was acquired by syndicators Monarch Bloodstock as a tried horse and made his initial start for Litt in April last year. He went on to win the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) at Gosford in his subsequent start for the stable, has since achieved three black-type placings, and has performed consistently in his three runs this campaign.

He finished just over a length behind the winner when fifth in the Chief De Beers (1110m) at Doomben in May. Subsequently, he was unplaced on a heavy track in the Hinkler Handicap (1200m), and then finished less than two lengths adrift of the winner Yellow Brick in the W J Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm at his latest appearance.

With a favourable draw in barrier five, Barber will carry a weight of 59kg, benefiting from the three-kilogram allowance of apprentice William Stanley.

Barber is set to be one of as many as three Randwick runners for Litt, joined by Aleppo Pine in the Sydney Roosters Partners Handicap (1100m) and the two-year-old filly Iced Fury in the Marcellin College Randwick Handicap (1100m). Iced Fury made a winning debut at Wyong earlier this month.

Litt is optimistic that these three contenders can extend his stable's strong recent performance, which has seen them saddle seven winners from 18 starters this month, including Romeo's Choice, a specialist on wet tracks, who was victorious at Rosehill last Saturday.

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