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By Ray Hickson

The covers have come off exciting colt Profondo for the first time in 2022 and trainer Richard Litt reports the three-year-old is on target for a big first-up assignment in next month’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).

Trainer Richard Litt (Pic: Bradley Photos)

He finished sixth behind Wild Ruler in a 1000m trial on his home track Warwick Farm on Monday, a heat that also included the likes of Zaaki and Top Ranked, and left his trainer beaming and confident he has the plan right.

There was never any thought of kicking off this weekend in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill, the traditional start point for middle distance three-year-olds, with Litt preferring to start in the colt’s comfort zone.

“I think the mile for him first-up is perfect,’’ Litt said.

“He’ll have another trial in two weeks over 1200m. A nice few easy days going into the Randwick Guineas and that should be perfect for him.

“We want the rain to stay away because we don’t want too soft ground for him but I think the long term weather forecast is okay.”

Profondo of course was a $1.9 million yearling and after winning the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at just his third start is certainly worth a lot more now.

Litt said as expected the horse was fresh before the trial but it didn’t take long for him to settle down and get to work.

“It was an excellent trial from him, I was very happy,’’ he said.

“We didn’t want to do too much because we knew the track was a little bit soft so we didn’t want to gut him in his first trial. For a first trial I was extremely happy.

“He’s got a wonderful temperament, he was very good today even though he was fresh. I was a little bit worried he’d come out bouncing but once the rider was on his back he was excellent.

“He’s in wonderful order, we’ve got a lot to work with, he’s grown and strengthened and is a really happy horse. He’s come back with a developed personality which is really good.”

Anamoe, who is set to tackle the Hobartville second-up on Saturday, is $2.50 favourite with TAB in the Randwick Guineas while Profondo is $4.50. The pecking order is reversed in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) as Profondo holds sway at $3.

Litt said those two races are the first priority before a decision is made on whether the Group 1 $2m Bentley Australian Derby (2400m) is included in his The Star Championships program or he heads straight to the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Meanwhile, Litt is eyeing the first $150,000 Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships qualifying race at Newcastle on February 24 with in-form four-year-old Marnix.

He said the inclusion of Midway horses into the series is huge for a horse like Marnix who will head to Newcastle chasing a hat-trick following successive 1400m wins at Warwick Farm.

Profondo runs sixth in a trial at Warwick Farm on February 14

“He’s a nice horse, he was always a nice horse with Godolphin and probably just needed a bit of time,’’ Litt said.

“He’s thriving, he’s another six months away development wise which is incredible to think. He’s a nice looking horse but he’s still a little weak minded and physically.

“He could potentially be a nice open handicapper in 12 months but this has fallen right into the spot for him.”

The revamped $1.55m Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships series consists of six qualifying races at Newcastle, Wyong, Kembla Grange, Hawkesbury and Gosford and a wild card.

Rachel King is expected to continue her association with Marnix at Newcastle.

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