Romeo’s Choice has been racing in fine fettle this winter, prompting trainer Richard Litt to extend the gelding’s campaign while he is race-fit and in good form.
A dual acceptor at Rosehill on Saturday, the gelding has been scratched from the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m) in favour of the Racing And Sports Handicap (1400m). This is despite the latter being over a distance Romeo’s Choice has yet to win at in five attempts.
However, the seven-year-old has recorded two placings at the trip, most notably a second behind the stakes-performed mare Firestorm, and Litt feels it is the opportune time to try him over the distance again.
“We haven’t had a lot of luck at the 1400, but we want to give it a go,” Litt said.
“He’s going wonderful, and he’s a lovely horse.”
“It is tempting, and it opens up a lot more races going forward next ‘prep’ if we know he can run a strong 14.”
Having won over 1300m at Rosehill two starts ago, Romeo’s Choice encountered a difficult passage in the straight when finishing fifth to Carbonados over the same journey on August 1.
He faces a strong field this weekend, led by Group 1 winner Attica and Epsom Handicap runner-up Fully Lit, although both are resuming and have demonstrated better form over longer distances.
Romeo’s Choice will benefit from race fitness, and if he can secure clear running from his outside gate in 12, Litt anticipates the horse will perform his usual honest race.
“He was solid last time. He was in a tricky spot and didn’t get a great crack at them, so I just hope there’s good speed, he can relax, and he’ll finish off well,” he said.
Barber will carry the stable’s hopes in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m). Litt suggests that if the track conditions do not worsen from its soft 5 rating on Friday, the 2025 Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) winner will be hard to beat.
“He’s a big chance,” Litt stated.
“He’s got Tyler (Schiller) back on him. We’ve been trying to get Tyler back on him for a while. He won a Takeover Target on him.”
“All sorts of stuff has happened to him this prep, but this is his race, and the competition probably isn’t as strong as it has been.”
“I’d be very disappointed if he wasn’t fighting out the finish.”
Veteran galloper Huon rounds out Litt’s Rosehill team in the Proven Thoroughbreds Handicap (1100m). With the advantage of apprentice jockey Siena Grima’s claim, Litt can make a case for him.
“If he has an ounce of luck – he’s got barrier one, a two kilo claim from Siena, he loves hugging that fence – he’ll be right there,” he said.
The news has been less positive for Litt’s stakes-winning mare Caffe Florian, whose racing future remains uncertain after sustaining a “pretty significant injury” when finishing fifth in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) in April.
She is currently undergoing rehabilitation, and Litt hopes to have a prognosis towards the end of the year.
“We’re very hopeful we’ll get her back. We’re going to give her every opportunity to race again but if she doesn’t, she’ll make a beautiful broodmare,” he said.
Punters can get involved with the racing betting markets for Romeo’s Choice via Australian betting sites.