Tom Charlton aims to send a duo of his stable’s leading lights to races in different states over the weekend ahead, with Linebacker aimed at the Luskin Star Stakes in Scone and speedy prospect Napoleonic chasing the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
Even with nominations in both fixtures, Charlton favours Scone for Linebacker as the 1300m test of the Luskin Star Stakes provides an extra 100m that plays to his wheelhouse.
“He is nominated for both, and we can think about it, but he will probably go to Scone and Napoleonic will go to Queensland,” Charlton said.
“With Linebacker, 1300 is a distance he’s very effective at. He will enjoy Scone and if we can get a bit of confidence in him, we can get him to the Stradbroke (Handicap).”
Linebacker took out the 2025 Randwick Guineas and mixed it with the best in autumn features.
First-up, the gelding finished 1-1/2 lengths off Joliestar in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), raced midfield to Autumn Glow’s George Ryder Stakes (1500m) success, and ran a brave sixth in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Charlton expects the freshen-up and drop back in distance to aid the gelding’s path to winning ways.
“His Canterbury Stakes run was great, and the George Ryder turned out to be a very good form race, and he wasn’t too bad in hindsight,” Charlton said.
“In the Doncaster, he put himself in a good position and they went very quick. He presented like he was going to be in the finish, but the pattern of that race probably played against him.
“He was the best on-speed horse, and he might appreciate a freshen up and coming back to that 1300 and 1400 metres.”
Spellbound after a gritty Canterbury Stakes, Napoleonic has fired two trial wins lately.
The three-year-old filled second spot in the Eskimo Prince Stakes and Hobartville Stakes, now plotting towards the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) courtesy of the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday followed by Eagle Farm’s Fred Best Classic (1400m) a fortnight away.
“He’s still improving and developing, and his trial is indicative he has improved again,” Charlton said.
“We came back this time thinking he was on a three-run Stradbroke campaign.
“James (McDonald) is riding him, so clearly he thinks he’s capable of winning.”
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