Concord Connie may be short on race experience when she lines up against more seasoned mares in the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington, but her trainer is confident.
Charlotte Littlefield, who trains Concord Connie, believes the filly, who officially turns four next month, has the capability to be a significant factor in Saturday’s Group 1 contest for fillies and mares over 1600 metres.
Concord Connie announced her arrival as a serious contender with two dominant Flemington victories in the late autumn, one by a considerable six lengths, prompting Littlefield and her connections to consider spring racing plans.
Although Concord Connie has been beaten in her two starts this preparation, Littlefield couldn’t be more pleased with her progress, indicating that the 1600-metre trip should be ideal for her on Saturday.
“She’s still pretty young, she’s still only three, so we didn’t want to overtax her this campaign, but things haven’t gone our way this preparation,” Littlefield explained.
“Mornington was never her right track, and we knew that, and we got a few hate mails after that, but there weren’t any other options. She wasn’t ready to travel interstate at that stage. It was a nice progression, although she didn’t win there and at Caulfield, the pattern that day didn’t play into our hands.”
“I didn’t want to go changing her pattern. We were hopeful she would be good enough to get over the top, but the sectionals she ran that day were incredible, and I don’t think she could have done much more. She’s in a really good space leading into her first Group 1 and hopefully it’s a Group 1 we can conquer.”
Littlefield has enlisted the services of Craig Williams to ride Concord Connie on Saturday, a decision she described as challenging, as Jett Stanley had performed well.
“Craig and I have worked together closely for the last three years and he’s probably the reason for my success,” Littlefield commented. “He launched me and helped educate She’s Bulletproof, Modown, Regal Vow, Stakes performed horses, and Big Swinger.”
“He was always in my ear asking to get on Connie and when the opportunity arose in this Group 1, it was the right decision to make in conjunction with the owners. We want to give the owners every chance of winning a Group 1 and we felt it was the right decision to make putting on Craig Williams. He rides so well and has such great experience at Group 1 level.”
Littlefield currently has 32 horses in training and typically rides one or two each morning.
Concord Connie is not a horse Littlefield rides frequently, although she does partner the mare on occasion during quiet mornings or at the beach.
“I tend to do the quiet days on Connie as she’s a bit much for me,” Littlefield admitted. “We have a French rider, Valentin Le Boeuf who does all her trackwork. He’s a lovely rider and got off her this morning and gave me a call and said she was pigrooting, squealing and absolutely off her chops. She’s ready to run the race of her life.”
Considering the Empire Rose Stakes? Explore the available racing betting markets for the event.