Racing: Linton qualifies for run at Flemington

MELBOURNE - Linton will miss next Saturday's A$2.5 million Caulfield Cup, despite becoming exempt from the ballot with his victory in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Nick Williams, who races the grey with his parents, Lloyd and Susie, said the Galileo 4-year-old was instead being aimed for the $6 million Melbourne Cup and would probably have one more lead-up run.

"He's a very lightly-raced horse, needed the experience and I don't think there'd be much left in him if he ran next week," Williams said.

"So we'll save him and whether he has a run before the Cup or where he goes to we'll wait and see.

"He'll probably need another run but we have to see how he pulls up. It was his first go at a mile and a half, he's obviously done a great job but you know there's a lot of improvement in him."

The win qualified Linton for the Melbourne Cup at what was his first start at 2400m and he is liable to receive a penalty. He was weighted to carry 51kg in both Cups and the win elevated him to 37th in the elimination order for the Melbourne Cup.

Having just his seventh start, Linton forged past the gallant Cedarberg to score by a half-length with Precedence a long neck away.

Moudre finished fourth and like Precedence needed to win on Saturday to force his way into the Caulfield Cup.

- AAP