Latest News

He might have run eighth in the Doncaster Mile but one thing’s for sure Linebacker is going to develop into a top class galloper, if he’s not there already.

In a Doncaster that was run a lot slower than expected, Linebacker found himself with just a few behind him coming to the home turn. It was a stark contrast to his previous run in the Randwick Guineas where he rode a solid speed.

It took a while for the three-year-old to get to the outside so his effort to run the fastest last 600m of the race of 33.26 is high on merit. He was still being held up and trying to work across heels from the 400m-200 and produced 10.71, second fastest of the race.

And his last 200m of 11.36 was just 0.01 outside Encap’s race best time.

It’ll be interesting to see where John O’Shea and Tom Charlton want to point him, do they go up in trip to a Frank Packer (2000m) or tackle weight-for-age in an All Aged (1400m).

Encap had to do some ducking and weaving through the field but he was able to wind up a bit easier than Linebacker, running the fastest 400m-200m of 10.63 and that fastest last 200m of 11.35.

He doesn’t always have the best of luck in his races but this effort is an example of what he can do. Note the sectionals didn't upload to the Punter's Intelligence app.

The Doncaster was run 0.06 seconds slower than the three-year-olds in the Carbine Club, which is unusual for a 20 horse field.

In that race it was all honours to Evaporate who sat handy and was able to safely hold Swiftfalcon despite that horse clocking 34.02 which was three lengths faster than the winner.

Briasa showed what he can do when he takes up a position in a race and in this case it was a winning move as he ran down front-runner Overpass late.

The real standouts from a sectional perspective, though, were chasing that duo, and you could make a case that Headwall was unlucky after he was badly held up early in the straight.

He’s clocked 32.94 for his last 600m without running the fastest sectional, largely due to being unable to wind up naturally.

Jimmysstar stormed home from the back in a slashing 32.76, the meeting’s fastest last 600m, and he’s been clearly the strongest late with 10.57 (400m-200m) and last 200m of 11.06 – the latter almost a length faster than Headwall.

It’s worth forgiving Sunshine In Paris as she was cruelled by a wide gate, though she had some cover in the run and the third and fourth horses came from behind she’s still run 33.02 for the last 600m and continued to find the line.

Vinrock took the honours in the Inglis Sires’ but it’s a small concern that the two-year-olds were some six lengths slower at the finish than the Country Championships Final over the 1400m.

The margin was about four lengths after 600m. So you’d say the third placed Buffalo has performed well producing 34.78 for his last 600m, almost two lengths quicker than State Visit (35.04) who was next best.

Still on the two-year-olds, given where Hay Street and Alabama Magic made their runs in the context of the day it’s worth marking their efforts up.

Hay Street ran 33.84, second fastest of the race behind Alabama Magic’s 33.73. She’s run the fastest last 200m of 11.65. Both have the upside to win races.

Fastest last 600m: Jimmysstar 32.76

Watch Punter’s Intelligence at 7pm on Tuesdays on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

Click here to download the free Punter's Intelligence app