Racing: Williams aims Linton at Australian Cup

MELBOURNE - Owner Lloyd Williams will play a double hand in the C.F. Orr Stakes, with champion veteran Zipping and emerging star Linton.

Jockeys Nicholas Hall and Michael Rodd have been engaged but Williams has not yet decided on their mounts in next Saturday's group one feature, which will kick start Australian Cup campaigns for both gallopers.

Williams had considered running Zipping first up in the Australian Cup, which he won last year, but is now keen to start him earlier and give him a run before Flemington on March 12.

The 9-year-old is A$5.50 equal favourite with Whobegotyou in TAB Sportsbet's Cup market after another outstanding spring.

At his most recent start he won his fourth consecutive Sandown Classic (2400m) after finishing fourth for the third time in the Melbourne Cup and second in the Cox Plate.

He is peerless over 2000m at Flemington, franking his Australian Cup winning form with victory in the Turnbull Stakes last October.

Williams said there were no better form races than the Turnbull and the Cox Plate for the Australian Cup.

"The first five horses in the Turnbull, outside So You Think, is the best weight-for-age form and then there is the Cox Plate, which is also a really good guide," Williams said.

He said Linton would get his chance to step up in the Australian Cup, describing the 2000m as a better distance for him than the longer races.

"I am not absolutely certain he is a genuine staying horse."

A 4-year-old, Linton won the Herbert Power (2400m) at Caulfield last spring and was second to Maluckyday in the Lexus (2500m) at Flemington before failing in the Melbourne Cup and finishing third last.

- AAP