Trainer Richard Litt says pressure is for tyres but he understands the expectation is high around the return of his exciting colt Castelvecchio at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trainer Richard Litt (Pic: Bradley Photos)
The three-year-old is already early TAB favourite for the Group 1 $600,000 Sky Racing Active Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Group 1 $2m Australian Derby (2400m) and second elect behind Japanese galloper Danon Premium in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
As much as Litt wants Castelvecchio to make the perfect start to his autumn campaign in the Group 2 $400,000 Arrowfield Hobartville Stakes (1400m) he said a top four finish would be acceptable but conceded the pass mark is higher than in previous campaigns.
“We want to strive for the best, we want to win them all,’’ he said.
“We have high expectations and I think he can deliver. There’s expectation around every horse I guess but you’ve got to have confidence in the animal and he’s going really well.
“His first run is probably his most important, we want to see him hit the line strongly. He’s never let us down so I’m confident he’ll run a great race.”
While Castelvecchio didn’t win a race in the spring he earned his standing as the country’s best three-year-old by running second to star Japanese mare Lys Gracieux in the Cox Plate.
A bit has changed in the Castelvecchio camp in the past few months – he’s been secured by Arrowfield as a future potential stallion and champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy is the new rider.
McEvoy partnered the colt in a gallop in blinkers last Friday and was suitably impressed.
“Kerrin has a calm head, the horse can be a little highly strung and they seem to get along very well,’’ Litt said.
“It’s a privilege to have him on, I love his professionalism and he says the right things. I think they will get on great, because he’s a very patient rider.’’
There’s a significant lack of speed in the Hobartville on paper.
The Castelvecchio we saw this time last year would have struggled to put himself into any kind of striking position and while the job of steering is McEvoy’s, Litt said don’t be surprised if his star has a few behind him in the run.
“In his trial the other day he jumped well and put himself there, they just outsprinted over 1000m,’’ he said.
“He’ll be ridden wherever he lands and wherever he’s comfy. I’d like to see him midfield or a little worse, just one off travelling nicely, peel him out and give him plenty of room and hopefully the rest is history.
“He’s eating well, he’s working well, he’s very fit and he looks great. With colts you have to keep them happy and at the moment he’s extremely focused.’’
Castelvecchio opened $5.50 second favourite with TAB for the Hobartville behind Microphone ($3.50), the pair haven’t seen each other since the Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) back in April, won by the Godolphin colt, where there was 0.9 lengths between them.
The Group 1 $1m Randwick Guineas (1600m) is the next port of call for Castelvecchio and you’d imagine if he performs anywhere near Litt’s expectation in the Hobartville he’ll be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the carnival.
– Racing NSW
