Sporting the well-known silks of Ottavio and Wendy Galletta, just as Castelvecchio and Profondo have in the past to record Group 1 success, Richard Litt appears to have another very smart runner for the same connections as 3yo Snitzel filly Caffe Florian recorded consecutive wins.
An impressive winner two weeks back over the Canterbury 1100m, Caffe Florian jumped away the race favourite on Friday night with Jason Collett settling the filly in fifth place back on the rail after jumping from barrier two.
100/1 outsider Princess Halo took up the running with the only other two in the field under double figure odds, Ellipsis and Couples Retreat (NZ), settling in second and third positions, both ensuring they were close enough to pounce.
With the home corner reached, Collett needed an out and while he did have to wait a little longer than he probably wanted to, Ellipsis went to the outside of the leaded, while Couples Retreat darted back to the inside.
As the second and third favourites tackled the leader, Collett came off their back and with the push of a button the race was all over as Caffe Florian charged past them, pulling away to win by a little less than a length.
Ellipsis held on for second, just ahead of Couples Retreat, but there was no doubt that it was all about the winner who has now recorded consecutive wins coupled with her third placed effort on debut behind $3m I Am Invincible filly Ernaux who has since gone on to highlight the form with a black type third placing at her next start.
With Richard Litt indicating she would be aimed at black type racing after her first Canterbury win, there would be no reason for connections to sway from their plans after her second win.
"The Gosford Guineas is a big leap in quality but as it stands that's the aim for her right now,” stated Litt after her first win two weeks back.
"After Castelvecchio and Profondo they (Ottavio and Wendy Galletta) haven't had so much luck but they have a great eye for a horse and have found one in her.
"Right from when we saw her as a yearling you could see there was a presence about her.
"If things go to the plan there's some races in February we could look at as well against the big, big guns. But we'll just let her tell us."
A $400,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Galletta Constructions Co. Pty Ltd from the Arrowfield Stud draft, Caffe Florian is one of six winners out of the War Emblem mare Madame Andree.
A three-quarter sister to Group 3 winner Anders and stakes-winner Ostraka, while stakes-placed Battleground and Satin Love are her full siblings, Caffe Florian is also closely related Group 3-winning Written Tycoon colt Skyhook.
Arrowfield Stud will offer a Snitzel yearling filly from Madame Andree at Magic Millions yearling sale as Lot 504 while the mare has foaled again this spring, producing a full sister to Caffe Florian.
