A long-range plan to set Linton for the Stradbroke Handicap gave trainer John Sadler the last laugh when the gelding stormed home to win Brisbane’s premier race at Eagle Farm on Saturday`.
Jockey Nick Hall produced an outstanding ride to stick to the fence aboard Linton ($26) who overhauled Buffering ($6.50) to win by three-quarters of a length with Streama ($11) a long head away third.
Sadler, the head trainer for Malua Racing, had the Stradbroke (1400m) in mind for Linton for 12 months despite the misgivings of Malua Racing general manager Troy Corstens.
“When John told me he wanted to set this horse for the Stradbroke I laughed at him,” Corstens said.
“That just goes to show what an absolute marvel John is because he worked out this horse a long time ago and never deviated.”
Before entering Sadler’s stable, Linton was owned by Lloyd Williams and raced in his famous navy blue and white colours when he finished 21st in the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
Sadler prepared the grey as an unraced two-year-old when he was private trainer for Williams and leapt at the opportunity to train the horse when he was sold to clients of Malua Racing.
“I thought the Australian Cup would be an ideal race for him but John said to me ‘I don’t think this horse is a stayer’,” he said.
“That’s when he told me he had the Stradbroke in mind for the horse.”
Linton is the first Group One winner for Malua Racing which was established 2-1/2 years ago.
In winning aboard Linton, Hall, 26, emulated the feat of his father Greg who won the Stradbroke as an apprentice in 1978 aboard Innisfree who was trained by his father Ron, the grandfather of Nick.
“When he drew 21 John said to Nick just go back to last and ride for luck,” Corstens said.
“It was a marvellous ride and when the runs opened up near the fence he hit the line with gusto.”
Hall was happy when Linton settled in third last position in the early stages before electing to stick to the fence in the straight.
“I walked the track earlier in the day and felt the going on the fence was as good as anywhere else,” he said.
“It was just a matter of getting the runs at the right time and I was able to weasel my way through.
“When Michelle Payne moved away from the fence on Yosei I was happy to take the run.”
Jockey Peter Robl had the $5 favourite Your Song perfectly positioned in fourth place to the home turn but the colt wilted to finish 14th at his final start before being retired to Widden Stud.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better run but when I asked him to sprint in the straight there was nothing there,” he said.
