Racing: Tilt at cup likely for improved Linford

Champion British sprinter Linford Christie was a relatively late bloomer, even in a sport where teen phenomenons are rare.

Indeed, before he won 100m gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics the oldest man to win the title was 28. Christie was 32.

Connections of his equine namesake, who resumes tonight at Alexandra Park for the first run of his 6-year-olds' season, will be hoping their charge's career follows a similar path.

The eye-catching son of Holmes Hanover won just one of his first 16 starts, but after transferring to Doug Gale's stable in mid-2004 his career took a marked upturn.

He had soreness issues, Gale explained.

"The main problem was his feet and the associated problems you get when you have something like that.

"Working on the beach definitely helped him and we played around with his shoeing, trying a few different things.

"The main aim was just to keep him sound and get him to the races for his owners [the ATC Trot 2002 Syndicate]."

Linford Christie did more than that. From a two-win horse in July last year he notched up four victories and forced his way into the Interdominion series.

Once there he was not out of his depth, running second to Just An Excuse on the first night of heats and ultimately just missing out on the final.

This season the goals are understandably higher. Gale says Linford Christie has the speed to match it with the Cup horses and just needs to strengthen up.

Despite lofty targets, however, his trainer is cautious about his chances tonight.

"I have no complaints about the way he's come up, but he will definitely improve with the run.

"He hasn't trialled but he has got through a reasonable amount of work."

Linford Christie's greatest asset last season was his electrifying gate-speed, which often enabled him to secure economical runs on the inside despite being drawn wide.

Under tonight's preferential barrier draw he will have to start one from the outside, though as he is short of full fitness there is no guarantee he will be driven hard out of the gate. "I'll leave it up to the driver [Nicole Thorn] to decide what to do," said Gale, "but he's got so much speed that he just might cross them anyway."

Linford Christie's main opposition could come from classy mare Copper Beach, who will be fitter tonight at her third run from a spell and should be able to take up a handy position from barrier two.

Tonight's main trot also features potential open class horses who, like Linford Christie, will be having their first starts in new campaigns.

Hide In Your Shell was disappointing after joining Peter Blanchard's stable in the middle of last year with the Interdominions in mind.

However, he was impressive at the workouts two weeks ago, coming off a 40 metre handicap to beat five rivals and run some smart sectionals in the process.

Meanwhile, Im A Nauti Boy will also be trying to regain his best form after being below his best when last at the races.

Trainer Bruce Lloyd reports that his actually quite mannerly squaregaiter (his name derives from nautical, not naughty) had a blood problem in his previous campaign and was subsequently set back further with a stone bruise.

"He ran on nicely at the workouts and he is better right-handed than he used to be since he had some bone chips removed," said Lloyd.

"I'm looking for a nice run from him but not really expecting too much."

Late bloomer

* Linford Christie, the sprinter, won gold when he was 32.

* Linford Christie, the pacer, won only one of his first 16 starts but made the Interdominion series.

* He embarks on a new campaign tonight at Alexandra Park.