Trainer Richard Litt is confident that Barber is ideally placed for a strong performance in the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on Wednesday, with the $200,000 sprint being a key target.

Barber made headlines with a win in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) in 2023 under the care of James Cummings for Godolphin, but added just one more win before being sold in December 2024.

He was purchased for $215,000 by Monarch Bloodstock, headed by Jason Micallef, and transferred to Litt’s care. Despite only training the Exceed And Excel gelding for under six months, Litt says he’s starting to unlock Barber’s potential.

“He’s always a horse that’s shown us a fair bit of talent,” Litt said. “It’s just been trying to get inside his head that’s been the hardest part, he’s not a straightforward horse.”

“Maybe forced the issue with him a little bit early days and that probably happened a little bit too soon for him but he certainly seems to be coming of age now.”

Monarch Bloodstock also acquired Bacchanalia, another former Godolphin runner, who finished second in last year’s Ramornie Handicap at odds of $51. This year, they hope Barber can go one better.

Barber was given a deliberate break between runs after winning the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on May 10. He then finished eighth in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) and fifth in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m).

“This has sort of been a target for us, we thought we’d let the Eagle Farm carnival go by and throw him in at the tail end of it and have him peaking at the right time for this race,” Litt said. “Given the ownership group, there’s a bit of romance to that.”

“He’s in good shape, and he’s going to turn up there as one of the favourites, if not the favourite.”

Barber has drawn barrier four and is rated a $4.50 chance with Dylan Gibbons booked to ride in the feature event.

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