3 minute read

Richard Litt has repurposed former Godolphin gelding Northumbria into a city winner.

Northumbria has become the latest Godolphin cast-off to thrive under the tutelage of Richard Litt, taking his record to two wins from as many starts for his new trainer. 

Litt has a record of success with horses who haven't quite met Godolphin's lofty standards, purchasing the likes of Sedition, Munitions and Marnix from their stock reduction sales. 

However, the Warwick Farm horseman admitted that even he needed some convincing to take on Northumbria, who arrived at his yard as a seven-start maiden. 

"A good mate of mine, Leroy, put me onto him and I was a little bit 'sus'," Litt said. 

"But we trusted Leroy, he's been a wonderful, good friend and he has always pointed me in the right direction with these horses. 

"They come to me in wonderful order, they just don't meet their (Godolphin's) grade, which is very, very high. 

"They promote them well, they take them through their grades and if they don't go through there, they don't go through there, and I'm lucky enough to get them. 

"They're wonderful to buy off. That horse only cost $25,000 and look at him now." 

Northumbria ($11) won a Goulburn maiden at his debut for the stable before making the rapid transition to midweek company with his victory in the James Squire Handicap (1000m) on Wednesday. 

James Mcdonald's mount Le Parrain was sent out an even-money favourite off the back of a competitive performance in Listed grade last start, but after camping close to the speed he weakened to finish last. 

Fourth placegetter Mafia ($8) was the luckless runner of the race, leading and kicking strongly at the top of the straight before striking the running rail and almost falling, costing himself any chance of victory. 

McDonald bounced back aboard the Chris Waller-trained Heads You Lose ($2.50) a race later, the son of Justify defying a betting ring drift to comfortably account for the well-backed Cheval Savant ($2.35 fav) by three lengths. 

The top jockey said the colt was still learning but had the scope to develop into a handy horse. 

"He's big and raw, you go left and he wants to go right a tad, so there is plenty of improvement in hm," McDonald said. 

"He is going to progress really nicely because he uses himself beautifully and he can sustain a long gallop. That was a good pressure race for a small field but he sustained it well." 

The well-named Heads You Lose is out of Tale Of The Cat mare Tails Wins and is a half-brother to sire Super One.