Linebacker holds off Broadsiding to win Randwick Guineas
The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Linebacker ($9.00) has tasted Group 1 success for the first time at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, fending off all challengers to claim the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).
The son of Super Seth had always promised to produce at the highest level across seven career starts, consistently finishing on the heel of Broadsiding ($1.60) throughout the spring campaign.
It finally eventuated on Saturday with Zac Lloyd storming across to take up the running in the early stages before rank outside with horse racing bookmakers, Tenbury Wells ($201.00), decided to press forward to lead under Tommy Berry.
It allowed Linebacker to settle in behind the speed and map in front of Broadsiding, with the Godolphin colt mustering to stalk his fellow three-year-old every step of the way.
Aeliana () was next slightly worse than midfield, while Swiftfalcon ($5.00) sat to her outside throughout the journey.
Tenbury Well was quick to fade once asked for an effort, while Linebacker surged to the top under minimal riding.
James McDonald was forced to get busy aboard Broadsiding and was given every chance to get past Linebacker, however, it was the latter getting the upper hand in the final furlong and claiming his maiden Group 1 success.
Emotions were high on course as John O’Shea celebrated his 30th Group 1 win, while training partner Tom Charlton secured his first Group 1 victory.
“Well, I know the tally of crossbar hits we’ve had in Group Ones the last few years so look, it’s great, I’m so thankful to him and the ownership of our stable,” said Charlton.
“I watched the race with my wife, she cries a lot, which makes it harder for me.
“As a gelding he has just pleased us all the way, you could see a long way out, he was in a really good rhythm today, they were going at a high speed, but he looked comfortable.
“I thought he paraded beautifully before he didn’t get as warm at the gates. He just was probably, you know, the true showing today back to the mile.
“He’s always been a very talented horse and you know, just last run I just was convinced it wasn’t his true running and he just got in a better position today and it worked out well.”
Zac Lloyd spoke post-race and celebrated his third Group 1 success.
“It was obviously a big privilege to ride Broadsiding last start, but Linebacker today, it’s not a bad exchange, it panned out perfectly,” said Lloyd.
“I just wanted to work with Linebacker, not against him today.
“He broke well, he had a nice bunny in Tenbury Wells, that’s his asset, his big long stride, and he sustained his gallop nicely.
“My pre-race strategy was to get both Broadsiding and Swiftfalcon uncomfortable because I feel Linebacker is a superior miler, and if we left it to a sit and sprint, they’re probably sharper than him.
“He got to me at about the 200m, and I thought oh it’s a bit sooner than I would have liked, but when he got to about a neck, my bloke held him quite comfortably the last hundred.”
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