Top jockey Craig Williams says a lack of pace poses the biggest threat to Littorio as the jockey strives for back-to-back Sydney Cup wins at Saturday’s Randwick meeting.

Williams took out the 2009 Sydney Cup on the Colin Little-trained Ista Kareem but rated the 2010 edition of the $400,000 event as a stronger affair than last year.

Saturday’s Sydney Cup field of 12 contains four individual Group I winners – Zavite, Littorio, No Wine No Song and Spin Around – as well as a quartet of Group II winners.

“I reckon it’s a terrific field this year,” Williams said. “There’s a fair bit of quality to this year’s field. Plenty of Group I winners in it and it’s going to be a tough nut to crack.

“But, I’m on the right horse who has come to hand at the right time of the year. He’s a last-start winner and gives me the feel he has actually improved since The BMW.”

Littorio has had one start over 3200 metres for a midfield finish in the 2008 Melbourne Cup but Williams said the gelding’s ability to stay two miles couldn’t be judged on one run.

“He had a few problems after that Melbourne Cup so he may have had something wrong with him then,” Williams said.

“He relaxed well in The BMW then had enough in hand to run home well. If he repeats that trip, he’ll be fine over the two miles.

“The biggest problem for him is pace. Zavite looks like he’s going to have a comfortable lead with all of the main challengers – Littorio, Precedence, Jessicabeel and Capecover racing well back.

“Zavite might be the hardest one to pick off if he gets a cosy lead.”

Littorio will start the Sydney Cup from barrier nine. TAB Sportsbet has rated him as an $8 chance behind the $6.50 favourite Precedence.

Written by Brad Waters

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