Trainer Charlotte Littlefield admitted the Summoned Stakes wasn’t initially a primary target for Concord Connie this spring, but the allure of the $200,000 Group 3 event proved too tempting to resist.
The stable’s star mare is slated for her last run of the current campaign in Saturday’s 1500-metre contest at Sandown.
Concord Connie boasts Group 1 placings, notably a second to Lady Shenandoah in the Empire Rose Stakes, yet she is still a Black Type maiden. Littlefield explained that the Summoned Stakes became an apparent objective after the mare performed exceptionally well in the Flemington race.
“We went in (to spring) with the three runs in mind with the Empire Rose being the Grand Final and then she came through that race so well,” Littlefield said.
“She certainly gave us every indication that she had thrived since that run and was only improving, so it seemed a complete waste for her to be in the paddock.
“We’ve got some lofty ambitions for the autumn, but we would just love to try and get that win on her CV in Group company first.”
Prior to her Empire Rose effort, Concord Connie delivered a strong third in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, where the track pattern wasn’t in her favour. This followed a second-place finish on debut at Mornington on AFL Grand Final Day.
These placings add to her four minor finishes from seven starts, with her three victories achieved in a Pakenham maiden and two 3YO events over 1400m at Flemington during the autumn.
Renowned jockey Craig Williams partnered the Contributer filly for the first time in the Empire Rose Stakes. He has been a trusted associate of Littlefield since her early training days, and the English trainer was encouraged by his assessment that Concord Connie had more to offer.
“Craig’s been sensational. He’s won all these races multiple times, he’s one of our leading jockeys, not only in the country, but worldwide, and he’s just so good to have on the team,” Littlefield said.
“You know he’s done his homework, you know that he’s very thorough with all of his race analysis and he knows what the top horses feel like.
“So, for him to get off and say, ‘she’s a very exciting horse, I really love her and I think she’s definitely Group 1 quality, I think you should carry on and go for another race start’, was good to hear.”
Williams faces a challenging draw from gate 11 out of 13, following the early withdrawal of Davida, but Littlefield expressed complete satisfaction with the mare’s current condition.
“Obviously we’re coming back 100 metres, but I think that’s fine,” she said.
“She’s nice and fresh and well. I’ve given her one nice gallop in between, she’s been to the beach and the water walker and will just have a few quiet days leading into the race and I think she’ll be firing on all cylinders.
“We’ve drawn a tricky gate again, but hopefully we can get it done with Craig on board.”
Concord Connie stands as the firm favourite on the Sandown program, currently priced at $1.70 for the concluding event on Victoria’s final Group 1 race day of the spring season.
Punters looking to get involved can find the best racing odds at leading Australian betting sites.