Lloyd Williams’ lightly-raced grey Linton has elevated up the 2010 Melbourne Cup order of elimination after being penalised 1kg for their hard-fought win in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Saturday.

The four-year-old gelding, from great staying sire Galileo, took out the Herbert Power at Caulfield on Saturday in great style, the Racing Victoria Limited’s Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter penalising Linton 1kg for his victory.

“Linton was having his first run beyond 2040 metres on Saturday and defeated a class field including Cedarberg and Precedence who both came into the race off feature race victories. The race developed into a genuine staying test and Linton was able to prevail in a driving finish,” Carpenter said.

After Saturday’s success Linton shortened into the $12 fourth favourite to win the 150^th Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2 at [sportsbet], trailing only So You Think ($5.50), Shocking ($8.50) and Alcopop ($11).

Linton is now weighted at 52kg for the Melbourne Cup, moving him up from 56^th to 31^st on the order of entry for the 24-horse final field.

The Herbert Power Stakes victory earned Linton an exemption for the Caulfield Cup this Saturday, but he will bypass the $2.5 million handicap.

Connections including trainer Robert Hickmott are now reassessing the spring campaign of Linton heading towards the famous Flemington handicap, with both the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 23 and the Group 3 The Lexus Stakes (2500m) on Victoria Derby Day options.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Shocking ran second in the Herbert Power Stakes in the lead-up, but the last horse to win the double in the same year was Rogan Josh in 1999.

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