Richard Litt is taking confidence from the Sydney weather forecast as he prepares Barber and Romeo’s Choice for the Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick.

The trainer believes both runners are well suited should the track deteriorate, with Romeo’s Choice especially noted for thriving in soft conditions.

“He absolutely loves the wet. The wetter the better,” Litt said.

“Where he lacks a length-and-a-half on really good ground, he will make that up by two or three lengths on soft ground.

“They’ve both drawn a little bit tricky, but if the rain comes, it might work in our favour.”

Formerly with Godolphin, Barber was purchased by Monarch Bloodstock and quickly repaid connections by winning the Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford in May.

Romeo’s Choice, a homebred by the modestly credentialed stallion Choistar, has been a model of consistency throughout his 40-start career, returning more than $500,000 in prizemoney.

“He’s not a fashionably bred horse. He wasn’t an expensive yearling. He is a homebred by some wonderful owners who have brought him up like a child in their own backyard,” Litt said.

“I get a great thrill out of him running all the time because he always tries. You never, ever go to the races thinking, is he coming today or is he not coming today? He is always there, always shows up.”

Litt’s small team has been firing on all cylinders with four recent winners, and the trainer says a strategic shift toward off-season targets is paying off.

“We’re not hugely active throughout the carnival with topline horses, so this year we have focused on holding horses back a little bit and aiming for this time of year that’s not as strong as carnival time,” he said.

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