Linebacker ready to step up at Randwick
The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) will take another step towards a potential tilt at 1800m when he contests Saturday's A$1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) at Randwick.
The Group One-winning five-year-old has never raced beyond a mile, but his trainers believe the time could be right to test him over further ground following two encouraging performances this preparation.
Linebacker finished a closing third in the Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill a fortnight ago, and Charlton is confident the gelding is approaching peak fitness ahead of his third-up assignment.
"He looks like he's going great, he's still not quite there in his coat but other than that we've had a good straightforward prep with him," Charlton said.
"We've been really pleased with his first two runs back and it's a more suitable track and distance for him third-up.
"It's a competitive race and he's been penalised for his Group 1 but this has been one of his target races for some time.
"We're hoping to go to the Five Diamonds, he's never stretched beyond a mile but we feel it might be time to have a crack at 1800m at Rosehill."
A winner of the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old, Linebacker has competed consistently at the highest level, with his most recent victory coming in last year's Silver Eagle.
His four previous starts over 1600m have all been at Group One level at Randwick, including his Randwick Guineas triumph, a runner-up finish in the Champagne Stakes as a juvenile and two appearances in the Doncaster Mile.
After finishing midfield in last year's Golden Eagle, the stable has taken a more patient approach this spring, with the Five Diamonds series providing an opportunity to explore his staying potential.
Charlton was pleased with Linebacker's effort in the Alan Brown Stakes, although the race was not run at the tempo the stable had anticipated.
Drawn barrier two on Saturday, Linebacker will again be partnered by Zac Lloyd, with Charlton hopeful the gelding can settle closer to the speed and build into the race.
"He probably got a pair further back than ideal the other day," Charlton said.
"He's a horse when you've seen the best of him, he can sustain a big effort. He's not a horse that quickens straight off the box.
"He didn't have a chance to use that to best effect, he got out and ran home well. There looks to be decent enough speed so if he can just jump cleanly Zac (Lloyd) can work it out."
