Charlotte Littlefield admits the Summoned Stakes wasn’t initially high on her agenda for Concord Connie this spring, but the $200,000 Group 3 race presented too great an opportunity to pass up.
The stable’s star mare is set to make her swansong run of the campaign in Saturday’s 1500-metre event at Sandown.
Concord Connie has already achieved Group 1 placings, most notably a runner-up finish to Lady Shenandoah in the Empire Rose Stakes, yet she remains a Black Type maiden. Littlefield indicated that the Summoned Stakes became an obvious target after the mare bounced back strongly from her Flemington effort.
“We went in (to spring) with the three runs in mind with the Empire Rose being the Grand Final and then she came through that race so well,” Littlefield conveyed.
“She certainly gave us every indication that she had thrived since that run and was only improving, so it seemed a complete waste for her to be in the paddock.
“We’ve got some lofty ambitions for the autumn, but we would just love to try and get that win on her CV in Group company first.”
Her impressive Empire Rose performance followed a strong third in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, where she was hindered by the track pattern. This preceded a second-place finish on debut at Mornington on AFL Grand Final Day.
These placings are part of four minor efforts from seven starts, with her three victories being in a Pakenham maiden and two 3YO races over 1400 metres at Flemington in the autumn.
Champion jockey Craig Williams partnered the daughter of Contributer for the first time in the Empire Rose Stakes. He has been a trusted confidant of Littlefield since her early days as a trainer, and the Englishwoman was encouraged by his assessment that Concord Connie had another run in her.
“Craig’s been sensational. He’s won all these races multiple times, he’s one of our leading jockeys, not only in the country, but worldwide, and he’s just so good to have on the team,” Littlefield explained.
“You know he’s done his homework, you know that he’s very thorough with all of his race analysis and he knows what the top horses feel like.
“So, for him to get off and say, ‘she’s a very exciting horse, I really love her and I think she’s definitely Group 1 quality, I think you should carry on and go for another race start’, was good to hear.”
Williams faces a wide gate, with Concord Connie drawing barrier 11 of 13 following the early scratching of Davida, but Littlefield expressed high satisfaction with the mare’s condition.
“Obviously we’re coming back 100 metres, but I think that’s fine,” she stated.
“She’s nice and fresh and well. I’ve given her one nice gallop in between, she’s been to the beach and the water walker and will just have a few quiet days leading into the race and I think she’ll be firing on all cylinders.
“We’ve drawn a tricky gate again, but hopefully we can get it done with Craig on board.”
Concord Connie is the shortest-priced favourite on the Sandown card, commanding $1.70 for the race, which is the final event on Victoria’s last Group 1 raceday of the spring.
Check out the latest racing odds at your preferred online betting sites.