Concord Connie set for Caulfield challenge
Following a string of three successive wins during her late autumn campaign, trainer Charlotte Littlefield admitted to experiencing significant pressure as Concord Connie made her spring racing return at Mornington.
The mare, who was heavily backed at $1.30, was narrowly beaten over 1200m on September 26.
Despite the close call, Littlefield maintained that Concord Connie had performed commendably and anticipates another strong showing from the mare when she contests the Group 3 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
"I think everybody involved in Connie felt the pressure first-up," Littlefield commented. "There was a lot of talk about her, and I felt she ran super. It was simply a track that didn't suit, and we knew that. Everyone had caveats against her leading into that race, but there wasn't another option. She wasn't ready to travel to Sydney and that was the only other option for her as there wasn't a race for her at Caulfield (a day later). We were delayed a week as we were going to go to the How Now Stakes at Caulfield, but that was very competitive and the weather forced us to go a week later. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and see how that go. A win would have been great. She thought she had won, we all thought she had won, and in the end, it was a bob of the head."
With that recent run now under her belt and an increase in distance to 1400m, Littlefield is expecting a competitive display from Concord Connie.
However, the trainer expressed some reservations about Concord Connie's draw in gate 11 for the 1400m journey at Caulfield, noting the mare's historical preference for Flemington.
Littlefield's ultimate goal is to have Concord Connie participate in the prestigious Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 31.
"We know that she is a Flemington horse, but we are having to go where we need to go being that grade of horse," Littlefield said. "We would love to end there (Flemington) during Cup week. There's a couple of nice options and Saturday will tell us which option. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but she is definitely a better product heading into this race and will be better again. The way she is going, she will run very well on Saturday."
Consider the latest racing odds for Saturday's Caulfield meeting.
More Racing News
Harry Charlton optimistic about Wine Dark Sea's Caulfield Cup chances
Upon his arrival in Australia, UK trainer Harry Charlton immediately made his way to Werribee to assess his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea.This marks Charlton's first venture training a horse in Australia, although he has drawn on the expertise of his brother Tom, a co-trainer with John O'Shea in...
Russian Rock ready for Caulfield challenge
Michael Trotter, the trainer from Cranbourne, was abroad when he received a telephone call from acclaimed jockey Craig Williams.This call came not long after Trotter's three-year-old colt, Russian Rock, had competed in the Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on September 27.Following Adam McCabe's suspension for causing interference during that particular...
Bedggood's Caulfield Cup debut with Kingswood
Trainer Gavin Bedggood is on the cusp of a significant career moment with his first runner in a 'major' race at Caulfield.While he boasts Group 1 victories and placings to his name, Kingswood's upcoming run in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) this Saturday will be his first in this elite tier.The...
Apocalyptic's form under scrutiny as Berry aims for Silver Eagle success
Jockey Tommy Berry concedes that Apocalyptic has not yet fulfilled her early potential, but he remains steadfast in his belief in the Group 1 victor.During her spring three-year-old campaign, she was almost invincible, clinching the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes, and Flight Stakes before a narrow defeat to Ole Dancer...
Schofield's partnership with Tempted and Ceolwulf set for Everest day
Chad Schofield might attribute his initial opportunities aboard star gallopers Tempted and Ceolwulf to luck and timing, but it is his skill and execution that have kept him in the saddle.Schofield has forged an impressive association with both horses, which will continue on the most significant day of the Sydney...
Organised Crime aims to conquer Blue Sapphire
Cranbourne-based trainer Lloyd Kennewell is anticipating a highly competitive Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, labelling it the race of the spring.Kennewell is preparing two strong colts, Organised Crime and Mbube, for the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) set to take place on October 31.The former,...
Beadman benefits from return to Randwick
A homecoming to Randwick is expected to suit Beadman much better, after the promising sprinter fell victim to the Caulfield curse during a quick trip to Melbourne.The tricky Caulfield track has tripped up many a Sydney-trained galloper, and the four-year-old was one of them, getting too far back from a...
Caulfield Cup presents weighty challenge for Half Yours
Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the father-and-son training duo, are fully cognizant of the significant task that lies before them as Half Yours aims for a consecutive Caulfield Cup triumph.Having previously won the Cup with one of the lowest weights, Half Yours will now carry the burden of topweight in the...
St Leger Stakes runners still in Melbourne Cup calculations
Klondike, a former European import, has not followed a conventional Australian preparation for a staying event, but his trainers maintain confidence in his fitness and stamina.The gelding will contest Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) in only his second start in 16 months, having been sidelined by a tendon injury subsequent...
Beiwacht's Silver Eagle run set to prime him for Golden Eagle tilt
Chris Waller is favouring a strategy of race fitness over a spell as he meticulously plans Beiwacht's pathway to a major Group 1 double.The accomplished Group 1 winner has returned to Sydney following a run where he finished outside the top three in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on...