The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Linebacker will be out for redemption in the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on Saturday, where the son of Super Seth carries 53kgs.
The gelding fluffed his lines when slow to begin in the feature handicap last year and was a tragedy beaten and the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner has been building in his two starts this campaign.
“He has been good all preparation,” Charlton said. “His run in the Canterbury Stakes (Gr.1, 1300m) was excellent when seventh. He just missed the break a bit and ended up a pair further back than we thought.
“Last start in the George Ryder (Gr.1, 1500m), he got himself in a good position in a much quicker run race and a testing 1500m.
“He didn’t run badly but he was probably slightly below his best, which he can do second-up. He also had a really good blow after it and felt the pinch.
“Take out the winner (Autumn Glow), who is on a different level to everything, he wasn’t far off the next best milers and now we get a significant weight drop in the Doncaster. We are happy with his progress, he looks stronger and his coat has come on.”
Fresh off a four-timer last weekend, star rider Zac Lloyd sticks with Linebacker in the Doncaster.
“We are keen to not miss the break and get back and in a dictated position,” Charlton said
“The positives for Linebacker are that he is a better Randwick horse with a good record at a mile and he was quite unlucky in this race last year. I do think he would have won if he had executed the first part of the race.”
Meanwhile, Charlton is pleased with the way unbeaten filly Satono Glow has bounced through her victory in the Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday, with the daughter of Satono Aladdin likely to step out in the A$1 million Percy Sykes (1200m) on Day 2 of The Championships.
“It was a really enjoyable win,” Charlton said. “She’s a very natural filly. She's still pretty raw and I don't think she really knows what she's doing at the moment, which is encouraging as there is more to come.
“One of the most pleasing aspects is that when she wins the race, she wins it in a couple of strides. That's probably a sign of a filly that's got plenty to offer, so she is an exciting filly going forward.”
Charlton said it was at the behest of O’Shea that the filly was sent to Melbourne for the black-type opportunity.
“John was really keen to go for the Thoroughbred Breeders and fair play to him, it’s obviously worked out well,” Charlton said.
“We saw her come off the truck on Monday morning and weighed her a couple of hours later and she'd only lost a few kilos from the week before.
“She's just got the most beautiful demeanour and that is a big help. We're really pleased with how she's come through the run and at this stage, we'll run in the Percy Sykes next Saturday.”
Bred by Sydney doctor Phil Chen, Satono Glow is out of the Pins mare Electrode, making her a half-sister to multiple Group Two performer Kitty Flash.
Satono Glow was sold out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft at Karaka for $260,000 to O’Shea Charlton Racing and James Bester Bloodstock. – NZ Racing Desk
