Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Last years The BMW winner Littorio was unwanted in the betting but finished too well to win today’s Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington racecourse ahead of the well backed Glass Harmonium and outsider Midas Touch.

Nigel Blackiston says Littorio could make a Cox Plate horse after he came back from an injury-enforced layoff to win the Group Two Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

The Bellotto seven-year-old, a dual Group One winner of the 2008 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and 2010 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill, hadn’t raced since finishing ninth in last year’s Sydney Cup over 16 months ago.

Blackiston said the gelding had since undergone stem cell treatment to his suspensory ligaments and had surgery to remove a bone chip from his near-side fetlock.

“What a return,” Blackiston said.

Ridden by Craig Williams, Littorio ($41) came from last to score by a half-length from the Mike Moroney-trained import Glass Harmonium ($5) with the Lloyd Williams-owned import Midas Touch ($81) a short half-head away third.

“The most important thing is to see how he pulls up tomorrow. Obviously everyone knows he’s had problems but if he’s clean in the legs we’ll push on and I think he could make a Cox Plate horse,” Blackiston said.

The Flemington trainer said he was pleased for the family of Mark Barrett who bred the horse but died of cancer.

“He had a long battle and I’m pleased that his wife and family are here to enjoy this moment,” he said.

Blackiston praised his staff and vet for getting Littorio back to health and fitness.

“A lot of hard work has gone into the horse,” he said.

“To return as he did today is unbelievable.

“No-one gave him a chance but his previous form was as good as any horse in the field.

“You see him in the mounting yard and he looks magnificent.

“His trial a couple of weeks ago was the best he’d ever trialled. He ran second to a pretty quick horse and was really keen and maybe pushed out he could have won the trial but I knew he was back and going well.”

Williams, who also won The BMW on Littorio, was also rapt with the win.

“It’s the big race of the day today, this is very special,” he said.

“For me I was able to sit on this horse about three weeks ago in a barrier trial and honestly he trialled like a sprinter he had so much zest about him.

“And when he walked into the yard today he looked fantastic and even on the way to the barrier he had that feel about him and he did a great job, they went slow early and quickened up from the 1000 metres.

“He’s a big horse and when he came out and got chasing out in the middle of the track maybe the wind helped him. He was impressive in the end.”

West Australian four-year-old Playing God made ground to run fourth but the Peter Moody-trained Lights Of Heaven ($1.85 fav) disappointed her supporters when finishing fifth after settling eighth and the club vet could find no abnormality when the mare was inspected after the event.

AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au