The 2-year-old Super Seth colt Linebacker jumped straight to the front and led a competitive field of maidens a merry dance when making his career debut over 1300m on a heavy track at Hawkesbury on Wednesday.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for John O'Shea, the well-supported favourite came well clear in the straight to defeat the $900,000 Blue Point (IRE) colt Bosustow by a widening four lengths with the Rubick gelding Iceman four and a half lengths back in third.
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e="margin-left:36.0pt;">"From the time we did anything with him, he has been the most professional horse," assistant trainer Tom Charlton said.
"He has a big stride and looked to have handled the conditions well."
Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Linebacker races for a partnership of heavy hitters and carries the maroon and white crossed sashes of Frank and Christine Cook.
A $160,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for John O'Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Haunui Farm draft, Linebacker is the third foal and first winner for the unraced Oasis Dream mare Garden of Swans (GB).
A half-sister to Group 1 Eclipse Stakes winner Mukhadram (GB), Garden of Swans (GB) was a 160,000gns purchase for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock / Badgers Bloodstock from the Trickledown Stud consignment at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.
In January, John O'Shea teamed up with James Bester to purchase a brother to Linebacker for $80.000 from the Bhima Stud draft at the Magic Millions.
Linebacker is the third winner and first in Australia for Waikato Stud's Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth (Dundeel).
