AS FAR as trainer Colin Little was concerned, yesterday's unseasonal cold and wet conditions were an unexpected Christmas present going into today's $100,000 Lord Stakes (1700 metres) at Caulfield.
Little trains out of the famous Lord Lodge stables adjacent to the 1700 metres start at Caulfield and he said winning the race named after the weight-for-age star who was trained there between 1956 and 1963 by the late Ken Hilton would be particularly satisfying.
Lord won a record 21 races at his home track and Little, who has been at Caulfield for all his racing career, said the race certainly had some significance for him.
"I've probably only managed to have one or two runners previously and I've specially targeted Rubijon and Blutigeroo for the race this year," he said. "Having a rain-affected track is an absolute bonus for both of them."
Little said that while there had not been a lot of rain at Caulfield, staff had kept the watering up on the track because of the hot weather late last week and he expected the going today would be rated at least a dead 4.
Rubijon, last-start winner of the Ballarat Cup (2200 metres) on November 22, heads the weights on 58 kilograms, with Blutigeroo and Emerald Jack next on 56.
"We've just kept Rubijon fresh around the stable because he's not the sort of horse who does well when he's spelling," he said. "On the other hand, Blutigeroo has had the two runs back and the 1700 metres is an ideal distance for them (today)."
Little said both Rubijon and Blutigeroo were heading towards the $400,000 Hobart Cup (2200 metres) at Tattersall's Park (formerly Elwick) on February 12.
His stable star El Segundo has been back in the stable for three weeks after a four-week spell following his spring campaign.
"There's just enough time to have him ready for the Futurity Stakes (March 3) but that means he can't run in the Australian Cup the following week and he will have a full month to prepare him for the Duty Free (in Dubai on World Cup night, March 31)."
&http://www.theage.com.au/news/horse-racing/heavy-conditions-lighten-load-for-trainer-little/2006/12/25/#9632;Japan's superstar Deep Impact finished his career in brilliant fashion with an emphatic win in the Arima Kinen at Nakayama on Sunday.
Deep Impact's opposition in the 2500-metre group 1 included the Melbourne Cup quinella of Delta Blues and Pop Rock. They were no match for the champion, who beat Pop Rock by three lengths, while Delta Blues finished sixth, 5&http://www.theage.com.au/news/horse-racing/heavy-conditions-lighten-load-for-trainer-little/2006/12/25/#189; lengths from the winner. With AAP
