Leviathan owner Lloyd Williams says talented stayer Linton will need to win the Group Three Lexus Quality on Derby Day with authority to line up in the Melbourne Cup.Williams, who has won the Cup three times with Just A Dash (1981), What a Nuisance (1985) and Efficient (2007), still needs to be convinced Linton is ready to run 3200 metres against some the world's best stayers."You would probably want him to win the Lexus by two or three lengths to be taking him into the Cup," Williams said."If h
Leviathan owner Lloyd Williams says talented stayer Linton will need to win the Group Three Lexus Quality on Derby Day with authority to line up in the Melbourne Cup.
Williams, who has won the Cup three times with Just A Dash (1981), What a Nuisance (1985) and Efficient (2007), still needs to be convinced Linton is ready to run 3200 metres against some the world's best stayers.
"You would probably want him to win the Lexus by two or three lengths to be taking him into the Cup," Williams said.
"If he does that he will go to the Cup, if he doesn't he will go to the Sandown Classic."
Williams other Cup hopes are Zipping (fifth in order of entry), C'est La Guerre (18), Mourayan (28), Rundle (52) and the unqualified Muir (70).
Linton is virtually assured a Melbourne Cup start after chief handicapper Greg Carpenter penalised him a kilogram for winning Saturday's Herbert Power Stakes at his first test at 2400 metres.
He will now carry 52kg and has moved from 56th to 31st in the elimination order having passed the first ballot clause.
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TAB Sportsbet has him $12 third favourite behind So You Think ($5.50) and last year's Cup winner Shocking ($8).
Linton's Herbert Power win also exempted him from the ballot for Saturday's Caulfield Cup but that race is not part of his program heading towards the Melbourne Cup.
"I never had any intention of running him (in the Caulfield Cup)," Williams said.
"I wouldn't want to back him up in seven days after winning on Saturday."
Williams said the Lexus (2500m) would be Linton's next start at Flemington on October 30, three days before the Melbourne Cup.
"He's coming along nicely," Williams said.
"Providing nothing happens to him, I think you will see a better horse on Derby Day as he will be a bit more seasoned."
Williams said he would delay a final decision on a Melbourne Cup run until after the Lexus.
Carpenter said Linton impressed him in the Herbert Power.
"Linton was having his first run beyond 2040 metres on Saturday and defeated a class field including Cedarberg and Precedence who both came into the race off feature race victories," Carpenter said.
"The race developed into a genuine staying test and Linton was able to prevail in a driving finish.
"The one kilogram penalty acknowledges the impressive nature of his victory but is tempered by the relativity in Cup weights between Linton and Precedence who he will now meet on 2kg worse weight terms in the Melbourne Cup."
He also meets Cedarberg a half kilo worse in the Melbourne Cup.
The last horse to win the Herbert Power Stakes and Melbourne Cup in the same year was Rogan Josh in 1999. Others to have completed the double in the same year are Arwon (1978), Van Der Hum (1976), Gala Supreme (1973), Sirius (1944) and Poseidon (1906).
Williams could have had two runners in the Caulfield Cup with Linton and C'est La Guerre but will instead rely on imported stayer Mourayan making the field.
On Monday Mourayan was equal 17th in order of entry alongside Cup favourite Alcopop, Herculian Prince, and Red Ruler.
Carpenter will make a report to the Melbourne Racing Club based on horse ratings, prizemoney, Group wins and recent form before the final field of 18 and four emergencies is declared on Tuesday afternoon.
The barrier draw will held on Wednesday morning.