Linebacker ready for Five Diamonds distance test
A first attempt beyond a mile awaits Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) in Saturday’s A$2 million Gr.3 Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill, with co-trainer John O’Shea quietly optimistic about his stamina.
The five-year-old has progressed from a resuming fourth in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) to a placing behind Formal Display (Too Darn Hot) in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), then second to Declichy Boulevard (Snitzel) in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m).
A Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner at three, Linebacker also finished a desperately unlucky eighth in the 2025 Doncaster Mile (1600m), and O’Shea believes settling will be crucial.
“It’s a risk until you do it. He will just have to execute well,” O’Shea said.
“If he goes to sleep for the first part, he should be right.
“He’s in great form, and he’s coming to a nice peak on Saturday.”
Zac Lloyd will partner Linebacker from barrier seven, while the gelding receives a 2.5kg weight turnaround against Declichy Boulevard from their Prelude meeting.
“Full credit to ‘Declichy’ the other day. She has been airborne, so we knew she’d be the one to beat,” O’Shea said.
“He ran well, and it was a good pipe-opener for this week.”
