Charlton backs Napoleonic charge for another memorable Guineas day
By Craig Kerry
Linebacker gave trainer Tom Charlton his first group 1 success this time last year in the Randwick Guineas, but the Englishman is looking to another three-year-old in the other elite race on Saturday to give him a second on his home track.
Charlton and co-trainer John O’Shea have Linebacker and Yorkshire resuming in the group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on their way to the $4 million Doncaster Mile, but their major hope in Saturday’s race is Napoleonic, which takes on the older horses after two runner-up efforts in 3YO group 3 and 2 races this preparation.
Trainer Tom Charlton and jockey Zac Lloyd after Linebacker’s Randwick Guineas win.Credit: Getty Images
The Wootton Bassett colt finished behind star filly Tempted at 1200m in the Eskimo Prince before holding on for second to Ninja in the 1400m Hobartville. That run convinced the stable to drop back to the 1300m Canterbury rather than the 1600m Guineas on Saturday.
Napoleonic, a $360,000 yearling which won the group 3 Red Anchor (1200m) against his own age at Moonee Valley in the spring, faces a jump in class against multiple group 1 winners Joliestar ($2.40 TAB) and Lady Shenandoah ($4.80). Charlton, though, felt Napoleonic ($8.50) was primed to produce his best.
“His first two runs have been excellent this preparation,” said Charlton, who has picked up group 1 wins with Schwarz (William Reid) and Maison Louis (Queensland Derby) since the Guineas.
“We got to the 1400 in the Hobartville, probably rode him a little bit quieter, just with the mile race potentially being his third-up run.
“He ran very well but probably didn’t fill us with full confidence to go to that trip, and we’d rather the option of dropping back to 1300. He’s had a nice run at 1400, and third up, he should be ready to hopefully put in a peak performance for the preparation.”
Napoleonic running second to Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
Linebacker ($10) and Yorkshire ($11) were not far behind Napoleonic in the market, but Charlton felt both would have room for improvement.
After an injury-disrupted spring, Linebacker has had just four runs, for one win in the Silver Slipper, since his Guineas breakthrough. He has trialled impressively twice this time in.
“He’s pleased us, he looks good,” Charlton said.
“He’s a horse who can run well first-up and off his trials you would expect him to do so. I think the Doncaster is his main aim this preparation, so there’s definitely improvement to come.
“He’s forward enough, but the intention is to get him to perform at his best in the Doncaster.”
Yorkshire, with eight wins from 11 starts, tackles group 1 company for the first time. He booked his Doncaster spot with victory in The Ingham.
“He’ll find the 1300 at this level at this stage of the campaign just on the sharper side,” Charlton said.
“He’s had only one trial and he’ll improve off this run.”
The stable also has three in the group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) and Charlton expected Polymnia to fire after a 1.5-lengths sixth first-up at Randwick. Stablemates Good Banter and Quietness are resuming with longer targets.
“Polymnia would probably be our best chance,” he said.
“She’ll be well suited at the distance, good at the weights and ready to run well.”
Williams to the rescue at Muswellbrook
Champion Victorian jockey Craig Williams will be a star attraction at Muswellbrook on Sunday after answering to call from Arrowfield to fill the void left by Aaron Bullock on Country Championships favourite Clear Thinking.
Bullock fell at Taree on Tuesday, breaking ribs and a scapula, as well as sustaining a concussion. Arrowfield, which has the Scone training team of Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, quickly recruited Williams, who has had great success in the stud’s colours, notably with recently deceased champion Miss Finland.
Williams will ride Clear Thinking from gate 14 in the Hunter and North-West qualifier. He also pilots Autumn King and Olympian for the stable on the day.