Trainer Richard Litt is optimistic that Barber will finally have some luck at Randwick, following a preparation that has been significantly hindered by wet tracks and misfortune.
Barber was scratched from Rosehill last Saturday due to the rain-affected ground but is now expected to compete in the Elite Sand and Soil Handicap (1100m) this weekend. With Sydney’s weather forecast predicting clear skies, Litt is banking on the sprinter finding conditions to its liking.
“He has been very frustrating,” Litt admitted. “He’s had no luck this ‘prep’. I’m ripping my hair out with that horse. Wherever he goes on good ground, he will be very hard to beat. It’s just getting that good ground.”
The horse, a Group winner at two for Godolphin, was purchased by syndicators Monarch Bloodstock as a proven performer and made his debut for Litt in April of last year. He then captured the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) at Gosford in his next start for the stable. Since then, he has notched three black-type placings and has been competitive in his three starts this campaign.
In May, he finished fifth, beaten just over a length in the Chief De Beers (1110m) at Doomben. He then raced unplaced on a heavy track in the Hinkler Handicap (1200m), before finishing less than two lengths behind the winner Yellow Brick in the W J Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in his most recent run.
Drawing the inside gate in barrier five, Barber will carry 59kg, with apprentice William Stanley claiming three kilograms off the weight.
Barber is expected to be one of three Randwick runners for Litt. He will be joined by Aleppo Pine in the Sydney Roosters Partners Handicap (1100m) and the two-year-old filly Iced Fury in the Marcellin College Randwick Handicap (1100m). Iced Fury recently made a winning debut at Wyong.
Litt is hopeful that the trio can continue the stable’s strong current form, having produced seven winners from 18 runners this month, including the wet-track specialist Romeo’s Choice, who was successful at Rosehill last Saturday.
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