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Essonne out to atone for Championships non-event

3 minute read

Trainer Richard Litt had no hesitation in taking talented mare Essonne back to the races so quickly at Warwick Farm on Wednesday after what was to be her major aim for the preparation.

Trainer: RICHARD LITT.
Trainer: RICHARD LITT. Picture: Racing and Sports

Put simply that race, the Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final, was a non-event for Essonne.

After winning the first qualifying heat at Kembla Grange in February, Richard Litt put the mare on ice for the Final but luck deserted her once she got to the top of the straight and she finished tenth behind Spangler.

"She just got held up at a vital time and was taken out of the race,'' Litt said.

"She didn't have much of a blow, just had a bit of a canter around really. That's racing.

"I couldn't be happier with her, she's pulled up extremely well and that's what has pushed me to give her a quick turnaround."

Essonne takes her place in the Schweppes Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm and Litt said the race appears a good opportunity for her to get back on top.

She was a $5 chance with TAB on Tuesday.

"I think she looks pretty well suited in that race,'' he said.

"She's got Joao Moriera on, she's drawn well and is well weighted. The track is drying out every minute, which is always a positive for her, and she's only got to walk across the road.

"You don't have to ride her too far forward, she's got a good turn of foot. Just switch her off and be patient and she should run really well."

Given the four-year-old had that six week break going to the Championships, Litt said there's a stakes race on the horizon for her if she performs to expectations.

"We've earmarked a Listed race in Brisbane in a few weeks so that could be a possibility but it's important to get through this run,'' he said.

The penny hasn't dropped with three-year-old Decimus as yet but Litt sees a future for the lightly raced galloper who steps up in trip in the TAB Handicap (1600m).

Decimus gave Tom Marquand all sorts of trouble in his last start third behind Golden Queen three weeks ago at his fourth race start.

"He's a nice horse but very green. He was extremely wayward last time on Tom Marquand, every time he went to go for him he'd run around,'' he said.

"He should be able to roll forward and be nice and close, he should run really well. I like him as a horse but he's probably six months away."


Racing and Sports

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