By Ray Hickson
Romeo’s Choice has never let Richard Litt down and that’s not something the trainer expects to change as he faces open company for the first time at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trainer Richard Litt (Pic: Bradley Photos).
Prior to lining up in the Schweppes Sprint (1100m), the five-year-old hasn’t raced above Benchmark 78 grade but for the first time in his 35 starts to date he goes into a race off back-to-back wins.
It’s clear Romeo’s Choice has needed a bit of time, he didn’t win a maiden until his 12th start, and is now making up for it.
“He’s my most consistent horse, he’s an absolute dude,’’ Litt said.
“We lost Lancaster Bomber to colic and this horse has filled a little gap for me personally. He’s a real trier, every time you go to the races you’re not nervous.
“Whether he wins or not you know he’s going to give 110 which goes a long way.”
The gelding, $11 with TAB on Friday, carried 61kg to a first-up win on a heavy 10 at Warwick Farm at the start of July and Litt said pre-race he would derive a heap of improvement.
He said that’s certainly been the case and is quietly confident with the 7kg drop in weight and favourable draw he will be his usual competitive self.
“He’d only had the one trial, he had a lot of weight and he can go a bit keen in his races when he’s fresh,’’ he said.
“There’s massive improvement since that run, his work on the grass on Tuesday was excellent.
“He probably did a little more that I wanted just because he’s that sort of horse but he’s freshened up well.
“He’ll be there at the last 100m, whether he’s good enough to win we’ll find out.
“I don’t think he’s far off them, he’s only got to improve a length or so and that’s why I’m expecting a good run.”
Dundeel youngster Gallahop has his third start in the Consolidated Panels & Veneers Plate (1600m) at Gosford on Saturday and Litt said he’s still a work in progress.
The gelding’s two runs have been over shorter trips and while Litt can expect some improvement he said he’s still on a learning curve.
“He’s a horse that’s going to be better next prep. He’s showing good promise at home and is a nice horse for the future,’’ he said.
Litt has taken over the training of honest mare Magic Pharoah and she’ll debut for the stable in the Essential Asset & Fire Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury on Sunday.
The five-year-old won four of her 22 starts when trained by Lou Mary and Litt feels at that trip, the same distance she won at her first start for Mary, she’ll get the chance to perform fresh.
“She’s a lovely mare, she came to me in wonderful order,’’ he said.
Romeo's Choice wins at Warwick Farm on July 2
“She doesn’t blow you away at home, and her trials have been okay but she needs to get back on top of the ground.
“I’m very interested to see how she goes to see where she fits in.”
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting