Written by Paul Vettise
Top colt Castelvecchio (Dundeel {NZ}) has already acquitted himself exceptionally well against the older horses and there’s every possibility he will be given the opportunity to do so again during The Championships.
The first priority is this Saturday’s G1 Australian Derby and a decision will follow whether he returns to Randwick seven days later for a crack at the G1 Queen Elizabeth S.
“It’s absolutely on the radar and obviously he would have to run well in the Derby and pull up well,” trainer Richard Litt said. "We wouldn’t even make the decision until race morning if he would run in the Queen Elizabeth.
“We’re just taking each day as it comes, but he’s the right type of horse to run well in a Derby and back up well. He will cope with that.”
Runner-up in last year’s G1 Cox Plate, Castelvecchio earned favouritism for the Derby when he won the G1 Rosehill Guineas.
“We’re very happy with him and he pulled up well and he’s ticking along nicely and on target. He’s got a great record at 2000 metres and he did it very well,” Litt said.
“He’s got a great record at 2000 metres and he did it very well.” - Richard Litt
He is confident that Castelvecchio’s class will take him a long toward mastering the extended 2400 metre trip on Saturday.
“It’s an unknown, but all the way along he’s been screaming out for more ground and that he will run very well at that distance, but time will tell I guess,” Litt said.
Richard Litt (left)
With travel restrictions preventing regular rider Craig Williams from continuing his association with the colt, James McDonald has the mount at Randwick.
Should Castelvecchio back up in the Queen Elizabeth, another change of jockey will be required as McDonald has a commitment to ride the Group 1 and multiple Group 2 winner Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the weight-for-age feature.
“We’re not worrying about that, there will be plenty of options,” Litt said.
New business
His management of Castelvecchio has also brought spin-off effects for his Warwick Farm stable.
“We’ve been very lucky and had a wonderful last 18 months and got some new clients and horses from sales and I’ve only just turned 30,” Litt said. “I’m very lucky and thankful for these opportunities.”
Unfortunately, what would have been another welcome addition has now been counted out by the lockdown in New Zealand.
Santa Monica (NZ) winning the G1 Sistema S.
“Santa Monica was going to come over from Stephen Ralph and they were very keen. Obviously New Zealand is in shutdown so she couldn’t get over here, but we were very grateful for Steven’s offer,” Litt said.
Raced by Stuart and Cherie Hope, Santa Monica (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has won five races, including the G1 Sistema S. in which she beat Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) and the 10-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).
