John Sadler’s talented grey stayer Linton is likely Brisbane bound with the 2013 Stradbroke Handicap in their sights after their run in Adelaide this weekend.
Linton could be 2013 Stradbroke Handicap bound if all goes to plan this season. Photo: Taron Clarke.
The multiple Group 1 placegetter, formerly prepared by Robert Hickmott, enjoyed a win in the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville last autumn and on Saturday will defend their title in that same race.
Six-year-old Linton resumed at Moonee Valley in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) where they could only manage to finish five lengths away fifth to superstar Black Caviar.
Dropping back in class next start a month later the Galileo gelding caught the eye at Morphettville Parks when carrying a hefty 62kg to victory in the Listed City of Adelaide Stakes (1400m).
They are back at the track on The Goodwood Day for the 2013 RA Lee Stakes where they will drop back to a far more favourable 56.5kg.
“Whether he wins it or not remains to be seen but he certainly gets in as well as what you’d see any good horse get into a race,” Sadler said of Linton who will be ridden by the last start winning jockey Jamie Mott.
Latest RA Lee Stakes betting has Linton installed as the clear $2.50 favourite to defeat the likes of Michael Moroney’s Wall Street out for their first win since September last year, classy mare Lucky Penny and last Saturday’s Adelaide Guineas winner General Peekay.
Should all go to plan and Linton run a nice race, hopefully scoring successive RA Lee Stakes trophies, then it will be onto Queensland for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival riches.
And what better race to target than the state’s richest, the $1.36 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.
“We’ll see how he goes on Saturday and if he runs well we might take him to Brisbane and freshen him up and run him in the Stradbroke,” Sadler said.
“He’s in really good order and I couldn’t be happier with the horse.”
Futures Stradbroke Handicap odds are led by well-deserving local sprinter Buffering ($6.50) who is out to finally break his Group 1 maiden status after 13 earlier attempts in this Saturday’s BTC Cup at Eagle Farm.
Further down the Stradbroke betting markets can find Linton who is a $51 roughie, a price likely to firm somewhat should they take out the RA Lee Stakes again this weekend.
Access all the best weekend racing odds as well as the early markets for the upcoming Brisbane Group 1’s online now at bookmaker.com.au and check out their exclusive Pick Your Own Odds offer on all the metro majors!
