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Littorio after Sydney autumn riches

Friday 19 March 2010
By Mathew Toogood

Trainer Nigel Blackiston believes Littorio's run in last Saturday's Australian Cup indicated the gelding is on target for his Sydney autumn missions.

They kick off on Saturday in the Group One Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill while the Group One $2.25 million The BMW (2400m) at the same track two weeks later also awaits.

Littorio finished fifth in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington at only his third run back after being out of action for 10 months recovering from bone soreness.

The five-year-old arrived in Sydney earlier this week and has taken no ill-effects from the run last week or the trip from Melbourne.

"He travelled up beautifully," Blackiston said.

"I thought his run in the Australian Cup was super. He was caught wide but so was the winner (Zipping) and we followed him.

"He had the blinkers on and just on the point of the turn I think he might have been a bit fresh. He sprinted and went past Zipping quite quickly but he maybe just got there too quickly and faded the last 100 metres.

"Backing-up into the Ranvet I don't think is a worry, he'll have improved from the run last week and hopefully he'll improve again going into the BMW."

The Australian Cup was set to be run at Flemington on March 6 however the fierce storm that hit the track during the meeting forced both the Cup and Australian Guineas to be postponed until last Saturday.

The rescheduling meant Littorio went into the Australian Cup with three weeks between runs and has forced him to back-up within seven days into the Ranvet.

Moatize and Divine Rebel are also backing-up from the Australian Cup in the Ranvet.

"Having seen the horse and how well he is I don't think that is going to pose too much of a problem," Blackiston said.

Littorio's last trip to Sydney resulted in him finishing last in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) first-up in April last year before being spelled.

The season before Littorio was placed in all three Sydney starts including the Group One Rosehill Guineas, over the same course and distance as the Ranvet, and the AJC Australian Derby (2400m).

"He seems to enjoy Sydney and the trip away sparks him up," Blackiston said.

The trainer rates Theseo the obvious horse to beat in the Ranvet.

Theseo was a brilliant winner of the Chipping Norton Stakes last start, fighting back in a thrilling finish to defeat Ranvet rival Rangirangdoo.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse said Theseo was right on track to claim back-to-back Ranvets following his victory over Viewed and Moatize in the race last year.

"He's just done a treat (since the Chipping Norton) and deserves to win again," Waterhouse said.

"It was such a tough, amazing win by a really good horse (last start)."

Theseo will be chasing his fifth Group One victory.