Richard Litt might be at the smaller end of the scale in terms of horse numbers, but he’s had a couple of decent measuring sticks when it comes to identifying a good one.
The trainer of dual Group 1 winner Castelvecchio and 2021 Spring Champion Stakes victor Profondo, the Warwick Farm-based horseman looks to have another nice galloper on his hands in emerging filly Caffe Florian.
The Snitzel three-year-old went from breaking her maiden at her second start in November to claiming the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) a month later, a trajectory few can boast at their first racing preparation.
Not one to get ahead of himself, Litt is playing down her first-up chances in Saturday’s Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick, but he is excited to see where she can take her owners, Wendy and Ottavio Galletta, who also raced the trainer’s two Group 1 winners.
“They’ve had a few good horses, and they’ve also had a few very slow horses,” Litt said.
“They’re not cheap, horses, they’re big investments, and they’d have seven or eight horses, so I’m very excited for them.
“But we keep our heads on. Anything can happen in racing and we’re just happy to be there on Saturday.”
Caffe Florian was given a short break following her Gosford win, specifically with the Sydney autumn carnival in mind.
Her main goal will be the Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on April 11, a race that has been a career launch pad for the likes of Joliestar (2024) and Classique Legend (2019).
The filly caught the eye flashing home in a recent barrier trial and has residual fitness from her summer campaign, with Litt anticipating a competitive return.
“We didn’t want to overtax her in the barrier trial, just give her a nice, easy dash and she has really come on from that nicely,” Litt said.
“There is still lots of improvement to come, and there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge, but all being well our grand final is the Arrowfield.
“She’s not screwed down 110 per cent for Saturday, but she will still run a nice race.”
With Raging Force scratched to contest the Challenge Stakes (1000m), a field of nine will line up with classy colt Beadman an early favourite.
