Barber overcomes tough run to post first win for new connections in Takeover Target Stakes
Purchased for $215,000 at an Inglis Digital auction late last year, Barber paid off a significant portion of that price tag with a narrow win in the Listed $250,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m).
It came at just his second start for Litt and delivered his owners a $140,000 windfall.
'They are maybe a little bit short (of the investment) but today would be a good payday,' Litt said.
'He is a wonderful horse, he ran extremely well first-up at Canterbury, probably a little bit unlucky.
'Today I couldn't watch when he was three-wide, I just bowed my head and thought oh well, what will be will be, and it was good to see him tough it out.'
Jockey Tyler Schiller was unable to find cover and remained in the three-deep line throughout, making his run inside the final 600m alongside the Kris Lees -trained Brudenell ($11).
The paired off to fight it and went toe-to-toe over the length of the home straight.
Barber ($8) got his nose down when it counted to get the measure of Brudenell to score in a photo finish with the James Cummings -trained Spacewalk ($18) surging home for third.
Barber's win ensured punters landed a significant plunge after he opened as much as $26 with bookies during the week.
Barber with a gutsy win in a tight finish in the Takeover Target Stakes! @G1TySchil pic.twitter.com/VUs7HSF0F0
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 10, 2025
•
'I saw the money coming for him, it's definitely not mine,' Litt said.
'But massive congratulations to Jason and the Monarch Racing boys.
'They put their money on the line to buy this horse and we've got a massive result.'
Litt has been made a habit of winning with Godolphin cast-offs with the likes of Balkans, Huon, Sedition, Destination and Morton's Fork all successful for the trainer.
'They are wonderful to buy off,' Litt said.
'You know what you're getting. They're great horses.
'James is a wonderful trainer and they have a great team.
'They are very transparent and from my point of view, I am very lucky to be able to buy them.'
Litt is open to heading to Queensland for a Brisbane winter carnival assault with Barber.
The gelding holds nominations for the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and in the Sunshine State.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia
As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Embarrassing' act behind viral AFL photo of Harry Sheezel
North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel brought his own footy to Ninja Stadium in Hobart on Sunday. The 20-year-old ran riot as he equalled the VFL/AFL record by racking up an extraordinary 54 disposals against Richmond. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Sheezel blew away North's previous all-time record of 44 as he etched his name into the record books alongside Tom Mitchell. His final touch came with less than a minute remaining in the contest as North recorded the 20.15 (135) to 13.9 (87) victory. Sheezel's day ultimately ended with 54 disposals, two goals, seven marks, six clearances and 688m gained. After the game the North star sat in the changerooms holding up a piece of paper with 54 written on it, emulating the viral image of Wilt Chamberlain from his 100 point NBA game. Richmond coach Adem Yze was asked about the club's decision not to impose a hard tag on Sheezel as he continued to rack up possessions. 'At halftime I think he had 20 odd and the game was in the balance,' Yze said. 'The third quarter I didn't see that as being a big issue, especially early. He did go forward and kick a couple of goals. 'Jack Ross went to him for a little bit and obviously he's just good enough to go and change position. 'I think he ended up with 12 or 13 in the last quarter and we kicked six goals so you're always looking at those numbers. He obviously had a great game and he's a terrific kid.' Essendon legend James Hird took aim at the club for allowing Sheezel to run free, labelling it an 'embarrassing' decision. 'I think after getting 28 exactly in the first and 26 and 2 (goals) in the second half for a total of 54, I think someone needs to go near him more,' Hird said on Nine's Footy Furnace. 'They didn't even tag just at stoppages. Start on him around a stoppage or start on him around the ball. 'For me I think that becomes a bit embarrassing for the Richmond football club that somebody is able to get that many possessions. 'Good on him, it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of effort to get there. 54 shows that the Richmond team were going that way and North Melbourne were going the other way.' Geelong great Jimmy Bartel says the club could have used it as a teaching method for one of their own young players. 'You could have used that as a teaching moment by sending someone to him,' Bartel said. 'I know he's going to be too good and I think that's the point Yze was trying to make. 'But it didn't really matter in the end because Richmond own North's pick.' The win sees North Melbourne pick up a fifth win of the season and jump Richmond in 16th place on the ladder with one game left in the home and away season.
SBS Australia
4 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Fred Brophy: keeping the outback tradition of tent boxing alive
Fred Brophy: keeping the outback tradition of tent boxing alive Published 18 August 2025, 9:40 am With roots in colonial Australia, boxing tents had a long history of featuring at rural rodeos and agricultural shows. While changes to laws have seen tent boxing banned in most states across the country due to health and safety rules, Fred Brophy continues to tour parts of Queensland continuing the outback tradition.
