Litt Hoping To Dine Out With Morton’s Fork

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Richard Litt

Having played an important support role in the Cox Plate campaign of , Morton's Fork gets a chance to take centre stage in the $500,000 Rosehill .

The former gelding was Castelvecchio's travelling companion to Melbourne and the older horse's relaxed demeanour had a significant effect on his inexperienced barn mate.

Castelvecchio ran a slashing second to Japanese star in the Cox Plate and Litt said it was Morton's Fork who helped the three-year-old handle his first trip away from home.

“He was critical for Castelvecchio in Melbourne,” Litt said.

“He had a great calming influence on him.

“He is like a stable pet. He loves company and he thrives on travelling.”

Morton's Fork has only been in Litt's care for a few months after being bought for $100,000 as a tried horse at the National Racehorse Sale at the in June.

The 2016 Sandown Guineas winner has clocked up a few road trips since, kicking off his campaign in Sydney before running successive placings in Brisbane, Port Macquarie and Melbourne.

Litt says the six-year-old loves to travel and he has no hesitation sending him into Saturday's inaugural Rosehill Cup (2000m) eight days after his third to at .

He is also thrilled for the gelding's new owners who are the ride and are especially excited to have booked Irish-born apprentice .

“He's owned by a bunch of Irish boys and they're having a ball,” Litt said.

“They're looking forward to Robbie Dolan riding him with the Irish connection.

“He had a luckless run at Moonee Valley on Friday night and he's come out of that enormous.

“It's amazing that just a few months after buying him he has the opportunity to run in a $500,000 race.”

While Morton's Fork will be in action at Rosehill, Castelvecchio is already in the spelling paddock enjoying a well deserved break.

While Castelvecchio could not pull off a Cox Plate victory, Litt says the colt's second to the star Japanese mare was almost as satisfying.

“He gave us a big thrill when he came around the turn in front,” Litt said.

“It was as good as a win.”

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