Litt Follows Up with Tried and Tested

A familiar source of stable success will again be in focus for Richard Litt this week, with the Warwick Farm trainer preparing to run established performer Balkans at Canterbury before unveiling another former Godolphin-owned recruit, Aleppo Pine, at Randwick on Saturday. Litt has developed a strong record with horses sourced from Sheikh Mohammed’s operation, and while the 3YO Aleppo Pine has been bought with longer-term upside in mind, Balkans has already justified his place in the stable by winning three races, all of them at Canterbury. The 5YO is entered for Wednesday’s TAB Handicap over 1200m, although Litt is weighing up whether conditions will be suitable enough to press on. The gelding was a close third at the same track two weeks ago under Siena Grima, who retains the ride, and Litt said he was ready to perform if the right set-up presents. He described Balkans as “very, very, well” and at peak fitness, but added that a big field, soft ground and a large weight were all factors to consider for a horse who is best suited on good going. Litt has a Benchmark 78 at Rosehill on Saturday week available as a fallback, but he is keen to give Balkans his chance when circumstances line up, saying the $30,000 purchase is no star but has the talent to win a Saturday race this campaign. He said there was little point overprotecting horses at this level because they cannot earn money from their boxes, though the track needs to improve before he is comfortable pushing ahead. Aleppo Pine cost Monarch Racing $100,000 and joins the stable with a profile Litt believes can develop into another worthwhile acquisition, following the success of stakes winner Barber for the same ownership group. The gelding won on debut for James Cummings, contested Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper lead-ups, and was stakes placed before later joining Lindsay Park, where he won once from six starts. Litt said Aleppo Pine had settled into his system particularly well after time in the paddock, better than some other newcomers manage, and he was pleased with a recent trial before deciding to resume him over 1000m. Tom Sherry has been booked for his first run for the stable at Randwick, while Grima will ride Romeo’s Choice in a Benchmark 94 over 1200m on the same program. Romeo’s Choice has tackled the Takeover Target and Bob Charley AO Stakes in two runs this preparation, and Litt felt his latest effort was strong in a deep race. He said the gelding remains consistent and competitive around his current level, but now needs the race shape and conditions to fall his way if he is to turn those honest performances into another win.