Linton To Head To Crystal Mile

Versatile gelding will step back up to a mile when he contests the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.

Linton will race over a mile for the remainder of his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.

Linton will race over a mile for the remainder of his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Linton raced over staying distances when he was owned by Lloyd Williams, finishing 21st in the 2010 Melbourne Cup (3200m), but since joining the stable of John Sadler has been reborn as a sprinter/miler and recorded his first win at Group 1 level in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) earlier this year.

The son of Galileo started his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a fifth place finish in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday and Sadler told RSN this morning that he was happy with the performance and looking forward to giving the seven-year-old a chance over a mile on Cox Plate Day later this month.

“He was terrific,” Sadler said.

“We thought he probably had to go as well if not better than what he did to win the Stradbroke.

“He finished up making his run a long way before Linton usually does and getting to the front before he usually does.

“We have only run fifth but we are wrapped with the run.

“The main thing is that he has run well and come through the run well and we look forward to the Crystal Mile now.”

Linton started the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes from barrier nine and was caught three wide throughout the race, giving the winner Rebel Dane a perfect run into the finish, and Sadler believes if the popular grey had drawn a better barrier he could have been the winner.

“I think it would have made it very interesting,” Sadler said.

“The winner did a great job but it got the cart and reverse the roles than who knows.”

Linton will have a four week lay-off into the Crystal Mile before a two week break into the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) but Sadler revealed he won’t be doing any serious work in between runs with the experience spring carnival campaigner.

“He enjoys his work but doesn’t do a great deal of it; we do a bit of schooling and the odd gallop,” Sadler said.

“I think the key to him is keeping him sound; when he goes into a race nice and sound he runs at his best.”

Sadler is chasing his first victory at Group 2 level in Melbourne since Sister Madly won the 2011 Salinger Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.