Summoned Stakes: Concord Connie's final spring start

Charlotte Littlefield acknowledges that the Summoned Stakes was not initially a high priority for Concord Connie heading into the spring, but the $200,000 Group 3 race presented too significant an opportunity to overlook.

The mare, considered a stable star, is set to make her final appearance for the season in Saturday's 1500-metre event at Sandown.

Concord Connie has achieved Group 1 placings, including a second behind Lady Shenandoah in the Empire Rose Stakes, but she is yet to secure a Black Type victory. Littlefield indicated that the Summoned Stakes emerged as a logical target after the mare's impressive performance at Flemington.

"We went in (to spring) with the three runs in mind with the Empire Rose being the Grand Final and then she came through that race so well," Littlefield stated.

"She certainly gave us every indication that she had thrived since that run and was only improving, so it seemed a complete waste for her to be in the paddock.

"We've got some lofty ambitions for the autumn, but we would just love to try and get that win on her CV in Group company first."

Her standout Empire Rose run followed a commendable third place in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, a race where she was disadvantaged by the track pattern. Prior to that, she finished second first-up at Mornington on AFL Grand Final Day.

These placings contribute to her record of four minor efforts in seven starts. Her three wins were secured in a Pakenham maiden and two 3YO races over 1400 metres at Flemington in the autumn.

Champion jockey Craig Williams rode the daughter of Contributer for the first time in the Empire Rose Stakes. He has been a close confidant of Littlefield since her nascent days as a trainer, and the Englishwoman found his opinion that Concord Connie still had fitness for another run highly encouraging.

"Craig's been sensational. He's won all these races multiple times, he's one of our leading jockeys, not only in the country, but worldwide, and he's just so good to have on the team," Littlefield commented.

"You know he's done his homework, you know that he's very thorough with all of his race analysis and he knows what the top horses feel like.

"So, for him to get off and say, 'she's a very exciting horse, I really love her and I think she's definitely Group 1 quality, I think you should carry on and go for another race start', was good to hear."

Williams will need to overcome a wide barrier, as Concord Connie is assigned gate 11 of 13 following the early scratching of Davida. However, Littlefield expressed her delight with the mare's physical condition.

"Obviously we're coming back 100 metres, but I think that's fine," she remarked.

"She's nice and fresh and well. I've given her one nice gallop in between, she's been to the beach and the water walker and will just have a few quiet days leading into the race and I think she'll be firing on all cylinders.

"We've drawn a tricky gate again, but hopefully we can get it done with Craig on board."

Concord Connie is currently the shortest-priced favourite on the Sandown card, available at $1.70 for the race, which marks the conclusion of Victoria's final Group 1 raceday of the spring carnival.

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