Barber primed if rain stays away

Wet tracks and bad luck have plagued Barber this preparation, but trainer Richard Litt is hoping the stars might finally align at Randwick.

Scratched from Rosehill last Saturday due to the rain-affected ground, Barber is set to take his place in the Elite Sand and Soil Handicap (1100m) this weekend, and with clear weather predicted in Sydney, Litt is banking on the sprinter getting conditions to suit.

“He has been very frustrating,” Litt said.

“He’s had no luck this ‘prep’. I’m ripping my hair out with that horse.

“Wherever he goes on good ground, he will be very hard to beat. It’s just getting that good ground.”

A Group winner at two for Godolphin, Barber was purchased by syndicators Monarch Bloodstock as a tried horse and had his first start for Litt in April last year.

Taking out the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) at Gosford at his next appearance for the stable, he has since notched a trio of black-type placings and hasn’t been far away in three starts this campaign.

Beaten just over a length when fifth in the Chief De Beers (1110m) at Doomben in May, he was unplaced on a heavy track in the Hinkler Handicap (1200m), then finished less than two lengths from winner Yellow Brick in the W J Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm last start.

Drawing well in barrier five, he will carry 59kg after the three kilo claim of apprentice William Stanley.

Barber will be one of up to three Randwick runners for Litt along with Aleppo Pine in the Sydney Roosters Partners Handicap (1100m) and two-year-old filly Iced Fury in the Marcellin College Randwick Handicap (1100m), the latter a winner at Wyong on debut earlier this month.

Litt is hoping the trio can continue his outstanding form with the stable producing seven winners from 18 runners this month, including wet track specialist Romeo’s Choice who was successful at Rosehill last Saturday.