Cambridge Stud’s Livalittle continues rise through Queensland ranks

Cambridge Stud homebred Livalittle (NZ) (The Autumn Sun) continued his rapid progression through the Queensland staying ranks with an impressive last-to-first victory at Doomben on Saturday.

The Tony Gollan-trained five-year-old settled at the rear before producing a powerful finish under apprentice Bella Youngberry to claim the BM85 Handicap (2020m), extending an outstanding run that has now produced six victories from his last eight starts.

The victory has earned Livalittle a shot at the Toowoomba Cup (2000m) on September 26, while Gollan believes there could be considerably better races ahead for the progressive gelding.

“He is destined for better races,” Gollan told Racenet.

“The first thing on the agenda is the Toowoomba Cup in a couple of weeks, which has its own bit of trickiness with the local track up there.

“I do think that long-term he is a real winter carnival player next year.

“He is a really nice horse, it was a pretty messy race today.

“I just asked Bella to get him relaxed early and he finished off really well.”

Livalittle races in the familiar black and gold colours of Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, who bred the son of The Autumn Sun from the Thorn Park mare Hayley Grace.

He was catalogued as Lot 227 in Cambridge Stud's draft for the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka but was withdrawn before being sent to Australia.

Livalittle is from a well-performed New Zealand family. Hayley Grace is a half-sister to Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) winner Bak Da Chief, whose seven winners include outstanding galloper Te Akau Shark.

Gollan said Livalittle had required time and patience after arriving in Australia.

“He was a little small yearling when he came to Australia and he had plenty of tricks.

“He has been a real horse to keep on progressing through the ranks and we have never been under any pressure as to how we place him.”