Malua Racing General Manager Troy Corstens has revealed that popular gelding Linton will be set for the $2.8 million (AUS) Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin in December. Last seen scoring a brilliant victory in the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane in June, Corstens said the seven-year-old will likely resume in either the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 21, or the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 5.
“It will be up to John (Sadler) to determine as to which race will be the more suitable for him to resume in,” Corstens said.
“He’s just about ready to go to the races, he looks fantastic. He spelled really well up in Brisbane and when he came back in work he didn’t have a long winter coat.
“His final run in Australia this Spring will be the Emirates Stakes (Group 1, 1600m, Flemington, November 9) but we’ve really focused on having him 100% for the Hong Kong Mile.
“That’s our plan with him; it’s not going to be an afterthought like many other horses that may go to Hong Kong at the end of their campaign after running well during the Spring.”
A winner of over $2 million in career prize money, Linton resumed his last preparation with a fast-finishing fifth behind Black Caviar in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) before claiming three successive victories culminating in his Stradbroke triumph.
In related news, Corstens said talented five-year-old mare Lady Melksham will run in Saturday’s $220,000 Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington after the mare was scratched due to her wide barrier (15) in yesterday’s $80,000 Hocking Stuart Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
“She just drew off the track so we elected to scratch her in favour of running next Saturday,” he said.
“She’s jumping out of her skin and I can’t wait to see her on her home track over the 1400.” (racingvictoria)