The Williams team is guarded about the immediate future of three-year-old Linton who graduated from a country success to win the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee valley at only his third start.Nick Williams, who owns Linton with his father Lloyd, admitted the grey looked "A-grade" on Saturday but declined to outline any specific autumn missions for him despite his easy 1-3/4 length win over Take The Rap in the 1600m feature.The Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March

The Williams team is guarded about the immediate future of three-year-old Linton who graduated from a country success to win the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee valley at only his third start.

Nick Williams, who owns Linton with his father Lloyd, admitted the grey looked "A-grade" on Saturday but declined to outline any specific autumn missions for him despite his easy 1-3/4 length win over Take The Rap in the 1600m feature.

The Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 6 would be a logical target for Linton but he is not nominated and connections would need to pay a $41,250 late entry fee by March 1.

Williams said Linton's next run would be determined by his progress.

"We have to take him home and let him tell us," he said.

"Obviously we have got a Group horse of the future and he's going to go on if we look after him."

A $NZ275,000 buy at a New Zealand Ready To Run sale, Linton made his race debut when fourth to Encosta Belief at Flemington last month before romping home by seven lengths at Cranbourne on January 31.

Williams said Linton only ran in the Alister Clark after he was scratched from Sandown last Wednesday because he drew the outside barrier.

"Today became a logical option after that and all our staff up there (at Mount Macedon) were very keen for him to run," Williams said.

"They think he is something special."

Williams said the slow pace was against Linton when he got back to second last but jockey Michael Rodd said it was testament to the Galileo gelding's ability that he was able to overcome the disadvantage and win.

Lloyd Williams instructed Rodd to ride Linton in a similar fashion to the way he rode Melbourne Cup winner Efficient to win the 2006 AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley.

"He told me to give him time early in the race and let him come home late and to make sure he goes through his gears and he's balanced," Rodd said.

"Pretty much from the 600 metres I didn't think he was going to get beaten."

He said Linton showed his inexperience with his constant stargazing but was always travelling well.

"When he learns to track up and come up on the bridle and let down he is going to be pretty good," Rodd said.

"You don't want to get ahead yourself but he's come out and treated them with contempt today."