Should Autumn Glow arrive at Rosehill in prime shape, opposing handler Tom Charlton acknowledges the George Ryder Stakes might essentially become a battle for the lesser awards.
Yet he’s not entirely convinced the same would hold true for the Doncaster Mile (1600m) if the glamour mare chooses that direction following Saturday’s action.
Charlton prepares to send out Linebacker and Yorkshire for the Group 1 clash this weekend, with each conceding the mare Autumn Glow 2kg on the weight-for-age scale.
He believes these terms position the Chris Waller-trained standout as extremely difficult to overcome while she seeks to push her perfect record to 11 straight wins, and delivering her usual form would leave competitors likely scrapping for second prize.
“I can’t be definitive with that, but if she’s on her normal game, it probably is,” Charlton said.
“As we know with horses, that’s not always the case, but we’re realistic about the challenge at set weights.
“Perhaps if we meet her in the Doncaster we might have more favourable conditions to give us our best chance of beating her.”
Linebacker and Yorkshire get down to 53kg for the Doncaster Mile (1600m) next month, where Autumn Glow carries a handicap of 56.5kg, equating to a 6.5kg reversal in weights.
The big race serves as the end goal for the duo, and Charlton anticipates a promising effort from Linebacker at Rosehill on Saturday after finishing 1-1/2 lengths behind Joliestar on debut in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
“He didn’t jump as well as he can. He ended up a bit further back in what was a dash home,” Charlton said.
“But all-in-all, it was a very good run. A run with a lot of merit and if he’d got the first hundred metres a bit more clinical, he would have been right in the finish.
“We want to see a similar run second-up. Top three would be great.”
Yorkshire delivered a respectable fifth in the identical event, positioned near the front throughout, an achievement with added value considering an initial-season issue that prevented his intended comeback seven days sooner.
“To see him put in that effort and only be beaten a couple of lengths was really creditable,” Charlton said.
“Again, we want to see another strong performance and then third-up into the Doncaster.”
This weekend’s entries for Linebacker and Yorkshire appear exclusively under Charlton’s training operation, since partner John O’Shea received a four-month suspension on Tuesday from Racing NSW officials for inappropriate behavior toward vets linked to Bev’s Nine’s disputed late withdrawal at Rosehill last month.
O’Shea has signaled intentions to contest the ruling and pursue a temporary halt.
Check the Australian betting sites for top racing odds ahead of the George Ryder Stakes.