The spring stocks of trainer John Sadler have been dealt a blow with the retirement of Group winner Sister Madly.
But that disappointment could be softened if reinvigorated gelding Linton can make a successful return at Moonee Valley in Saturday’s Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m).
Sister Madly was retired on Thursday after succumbing to niggling injuries but Sadler remained optimistic the best was still ahead for stablemate Linton.
Formerly with the Lloyd Williams team, the grey has been somewhat of an enigma to punters in recent seasons.
Placed in the Australian Guineas at three, he was second to subsequent Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday in the 2010 Lexus Stakes.
The following autumn he also performed with distinction, this time at weight-for-age level with placings in the 2011 Australian Cup and BMW.
But his career went off the boil during an interrupted spring last year when he turned in three indifferent runs.
He was sold and transferred to Sadler who got immediate results when Linton posted a Group Three victory at Morphettville in May, breaking an 18-month winning drought.
Sadler doesn’t believe that was a fluke and expects Linton to turn in a similar effort in the Dato.
“It’s definitely a winnable race for him. I’m not saying he will win it but I will be disappointed if he’s not in the first three,” Sadler said.
Linton seems to have been around for longer than his six years and 17 starts.
He has had issues in the past but Sadler says he has seen no sign of them since the gelding came into his care and hopes are high he can deliver on his potential this spring.
“This should be his best season,” Sadler said.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
Linton is entered for both Cups and the Cox Plate but Sadler says the Melbourne Cup is not a realistic target at this stage.
“Perhaps the Caulfield Cup, we’ll just see how it’s shaping up,” he said.
“Probably not the Melbourne Cup. I don’t think he’s a two miler. I think a mile-and-a-half is his trip but if he’s not going well enough for the Caulfield Cup then we might look at a race like the Zipping Classic.”
Linton is among the more fancied runners for Saturday’s race at $8.50 with TAB fixed odds.
Last year’s winner Rekindled Interest is top pick at $3.50 ahead of Caulfield Cup favourite Green Moon at $3.70 with South Australian Happy Trails next best at $7.
Australian Derby winner Ethiopia is a $15 chance in his first run since the classic.
