News

Littorio Makes Emotional Return

6th Sep 2011

Breednet - Mark Smith - Saturday, 3 September 2011

Just when it seemed an international would capture another feature race, the hulking frame of the 2010 BMW Stakes (G1) hero Littorio came with ground devouring strides to nail Glass Harmonium (IRE) in Saturday's Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

The 7yo gelding was making his first start since being sidelined with suspensory problems after finishing unplaced in the Sydney Cup (G1) last April.

An emotional trainer Nigel Blackiston paid tribute to his friend and part owner of Littorio, Mark Barrett, who died of cancer earlier this year. Blackiston said he visited Barrett's grave on the way to the races.

"I said a little prayer at the grave and what a return,” Blackiston said.

"I am pleased his wife and his family were here to enjoy the win.”

Blackiston said the Cox Plate is the goal for Littorio although he did not look to far into the future because the gelding is a day to day proposition.

It was the third stakes victory for the son of Bellotto (USA). remarkably enough the previous two had been at Group 1 level. Besides the BMW he captured the Turnbull Stakes in 2008.

A bargain basement $15,000 purchase by Blackiston at the 2006 Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne, Littorio is the seventh foal of the Centaine mare Our Centasea, a half-sister to two-time Nissan stakes (G1) winner Seascay (Maizcay) and a full sister to Group 3 winner Centainette.

Littorio is one of six Group 1 winners for the veteran Mr Prospector stallion Bellotto, who was imported to Australia by Arrowfield Stud in 1989 before ;ater moving to south Australia.

He stood 21 seasons before retirement in 2009.

Though he failed to win a stakes race in a light career of 7 starts, Bellotto won his only two starts at two and at three finished second in the Two Thousand Guineas and a third in the Derby.