Richard Litt is pleased with the way his talented filly Caffe Florian is progressing, but despite her early success, the trainer is resisting the temptation to get ahead of himself.
Sharing her name with one of Italy’s oldest and most famous coffee houses, expectations around Caffe Florian are naturally high, but Litt is maintaining a measured approach as she steps into Listed company.
The three-year-old was a $400,000 purchase at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and has delivered on that investment so far, recording two wins and a placing from her three starts.
Both victories came at Canterbury, and she now heads to Sunday’s Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) as the $2.45 market leader.
“She has always been a lovely filly and she has got the pedigree to match it so we’ve always had high hopes of her all the way along,” Litt said.
“We’ve given her plenty of time and she has come along nicely. What she has done so far has been excellent.
“She has to take the next step on Sunday but there are no expectations going around.”
Caffe Florian is a daughter of champion sprinter Snitzel out of Madam Andree, a dam whose progeny includes black-type performer Ostraka, multiple winner Anders and the consistent Smashing Eagle and Madame Pauline.
Litt has been encouraged by how the filly has trained since her most recent success over 1100 metres in Benchmark 72 grade on December 12.
“She has trained on really nicely,” Litt added.
“We haven’t had to do too much with her because these races have fallen in quite nicely every two weeks.
“She’s ticked over very nicely and with this being her fourth run this preparation, she’s ultra fit and she seems to still be in a really good headspace.
“That is a lot for a filly in her first racing preparation which gives a good indication that she is quite tough.”
Litt is keeping his options open beyond Sunday’s assignment.
“Whether she has a long or short break after this, we are not under any pressure to make plans,” he added.
Early markets for the Gosford Guineas and future races can be compared via the Australian betting sites list.
