International Racing A Possibility for Linton

How quickly things can change.

Linton could be tested on the international stage. Photo by: Daniel Costello.

On Saturday Linton was considered almost no hope at $26 in the Stradbroke Handicap.

Now, after an emphatic victory in Queensland’s most prestigious race, connections are weighing up whether to contest the Cox Plate or test the six-year-old on the international stage.

Initial thoughts were that the grey would definitely head to the Cox Plate but other options include the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile in December and the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free (1800m) in March.

The son of Galileo is already in the spelling paddock in Queensland after scoring the biggest win of his career and skipping the Cox Plate would allow him to have a longer rest.

“If we decide to do the Hong Kong and Dubai races he can have a little bit longer off,” trainer John Sadler told TVN.

“Then have maybe one run in the Spring, either the Patinack (1200m) or the Salinger (1200m), or maybe even the Emirates Stakes (1600m), then head to Hong Kong,” Sadler said.

Linton ran in last year’s Cox Plate, finishing a well-beaten 12th.

On Saturday, despite being completely written off by punters, the grey produced an incredible victory to claim the $1 million Stradbroke winner’s cheque.

With Nick Hall aboard, Linton was last turning for home at Eagle Farm before charging home along the rail to reel in Queensland’s tough sprinter Buffering.

It was the first Group 1 win of Linton’s career, taking his resume to seven wins from 24 starts and his prize pool to more than $2 million.

The Stradbroke was easily the biggest highlight of his career but he also won the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes and the Herbert Power Stakes in 2010.

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