Trainer Richard Litt is confident his new acquisition Inoue can make a winning start for the stable at Canterbury on Wednesday, but remains cautious about the horse's first-up prospects.
Inoue, previously trained by Peter Snowden, has transferred to Litt as connections aim to place him in Midway company and rebuild his confidence. The four-year-old gelding has pleased Litt with his trials and will contest the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m) with Zac Lloyd aboard.
Litt optimistic about Inoue's chances
“He’s a lovely horse, he looked like he’d reached his mark a little bit with Peter and they moved him over to me because Peter isn’t eligible for the Midways,” Litt said. “He fits in really nicely to that sort of Midway grade horse on a Saturday.”
Inoue won three of his 14 starts for Snowden, all at provincial level, and has trained on well for his new mentor. “He came over in beautiful order, Pete looked after him really well. He’s had a nice spell and his trials have been very good,” Litt added.
The Warwick Farm trainer believes the 1100m race suits Inoue, especially with a wet track expected. “He loves soft ground, the 1100m looks really suitable. He’s drawn well, the rail’s out, Zac Lloyd’s on and everything he touches seems to be running well. It looks like a good race for him so I’m excited to kick him off.”
Caffe Florian sidelined, Wildfire to debut
Litt also provided updates on other stable stars. Classy filly Caffe Florian will not race again until 2027, if at all, after sustaining a tendon injury in the Arrowfield Sprint in April. Meanwhile, two-year-old filly Wildfire will debut at Newcastle on Saturday following a recent trial win. Mitchell Bell has been booked for the 900m maiden.
“She’s a very nice filly, she’s definitely a next preparation horse,” Litt said. “At the moment she’s that 900m-1000m pacy filly but I hope she’s more than that. I think it’s a nice race for her, whether she has the strength to win I’m not sure but her trials have been excellent.”
Race-by-race previews for Canterbury
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1: KIA ORA BLOODLINES TO HEADLINES HANDICAP (1100m)
Crossways (5) is worth another chance from an inside barrier after chasing a solid tempo on debut. Churchillian (1) has shown good speed in trials. Farfetched (6) ran a handy second first-up. Ballet Encore (10) has been placed on heavy ground. Play: Crossways WIN.
Race 2: HEADWATER @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1200m)
Sanctum (4) caught the eye on debut, closing nicely behind Omolong. Horologist (3) charged late for second on a soft 6. Short Sea (5) finished strongly at Kensington. Helldeeva (8) won on heavy last month. Play: Sanctum WIN.
Race 3: ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1200m)
Lady Invictus (4) measured up well in a BM72 at Rosehill. Gatwick (3) led all the way over 1250m three weeks back. Sponars (7) has three seconds since a maiden win. Raskol (5) was narrowly beaten first-up. Play: Lady Invictus WIN.
Race 4: HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1100m)
Inoue (5) is first-up for a new stable and has trialled nicely. Madrina (2) was narrowly beaten on heavy three starts ago. Zale (3) led all the way at Warwick Farm. Shall Be (1) was favourite at Port Macquarie second-up. Play: Inoue WIN.
Race 5: ROBRICK LODGE HANDICAP (1550m)
Lipstick (9) chased hard behind Ballpark and Bird Whistle. Agraffe Rocket (12) won on heavy at Newcastle. Virgil's Gift (5) ran well fresh at Kensington. Sister Daae (8) has placed on heavy. Play: Lipstick WIN.
Race 6: TAB HANDICAP (1900m)
Skycatcher (4) relished heavy to win over 1550m at this track. Trapalanda (6) ran well first-up at Warwick Farm. Think I Will (14) won all the way over this course three weeks ago. Existential Bob (9) is unbeaten on heavy. Play: Skycatcher EACH-WAY.
Race 7: RANVET HANDICAP (1250m)
Metaphorically (3) was below best first-up but blinkers go on. Steel Strike (5) returns as a gelding and has won on heavy. Unstopabull (9) charged home into second at Warwick Farm. Sociable (8) just failed on soft 7. Play: Metaphorically EACH-WAY.
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