Jockey Nicholas Hall is well placed to have a career best day with his godfather Lloyd Williams booking him for two Group One rides at Flemington's "Super Saturday" meeting.Williams confirmed on Monday that Hall would ride Linton in the Australian Guineas as well stable favourite Zipping in the Australian Cup.Hall has also been retained for the ride on Newmarket Handicap favourite All Silent, trained by Grahame Begg.On Monday Williams paid a $41,250 late entry fee for Linton to run in the Guinea
Jockey Nicholas Hall is well placed to have a career best day with his godfather Lloyd Williams booking him for two Group One rides at Flemington's "Super Saturday" meeting.
Williams confirmed on Monday that Hall would ride Linton in the Australian Guineas as well stable favourite Zipping in the Australian Cup.
Hall has also been retained for the ride on Newmarket Handicap favourite All Silent, trained by Grahame Begg.
On Monday Williams paid a $41,250 late entry fee for Linton to run in the Guineas, setting up a showdown with top Sydney colt Denman and highly rated Peter Moody-trained filly Set For Fame.
"He is in good order and won't be doing anything too special this week," Williams said.
Linton has won two of his three starts and emerged a leading Australian Guineas contender with his win in the last month's Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
TAB Sportsbet rates Linton, at $5.50, the biggest danger to stemming the winning run of Denman ($1.50) who is unbeaten in three runs this campaign.
Last start Group Two Armanasco Stakes winner Set For Fame ($6.50) is the other Guineas contender under $21 after a decision on Monday to retire Cox Plate runner-up Manhattan Rain who had been the other key player in the race.
Extra Zero is $21 in the betting but trainer David Hayes said he would run the colt in the Australian Cup (2000m).
Williams rates Linton as potentially a better horse than Reset who won the Australian Guineas for him in 2004.
Reset was unbeaten in five starts before being sold to Darley Stud where he stands in Victoria for $27,500.
Williams bought Linton as a yearling for $250,000 in New Zealand.
The son of Galileo made his race debut when a luckless fourth at Flemington six weeks ago before winning by seven lengths at Cranbourne and graduating to Group racing with a stunning last-to-first win in the Alister Clark.
Hall will be hoping that Linton being a late entry will be a winning omen for him after he won the last month's Group One Blue Diamond Stakes with a masterful ride on another late entry, Star Witness.
Hall won on Linton at Cranbourne and reunites with him in the Guineas after Michael Rodd won on the gelding the Alister Clark.
Rodd will ride Rock Classic ($31) in the Guineas.
Final declarations for the Australian Guineas, Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Australian Cup (2000m) close on Wednesday morning.