EMERGING three-year-old talent Linton is a surprise entry for Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Rokk Ebony Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield.

The Robert Hickmott-trained and Lloyd and Nick Williams-owned gelding features among 10 nominees for the opening leg of the $US11m Asian Mile Challenge.

The Challenge takes in Group 1 events in Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong and Japan and provides Australian horses with the chance to showcase their talents on the world stage.

A veteran of just three starts, Linton heralded his arrival with a win in the Group 2 Top Cut Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley nine days ago.

The arrogant last-to-first victory prompted immediate comparisons with Emirates Melbourne Cup and AAMI Victoria Derby-winning stablemate Efficient who is also grey in colour.

Connections have until 9am this Wednesday, 24 February to decide whether they tackle the older horses at weight-for-age in the Futurity Stakes or stick to his age group.

Like fellow Futurity Stakes nominee Extra Zero, Linton has also been nominated for the Group 2 $181,000 Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m) for three-year-olds on Saturday.

In addition, Linton’s connections have until 12 noon next Monday, 1 March to pay a $41,250 late entry fee should they wish to wait and contest the Group 1 $750,000 Crown Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Super Saturday, 6 March.

Australia’s premier race mare Typhoon Tracy, a last start winner of the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, is the class runner amongst the nominations for the Futurity Stakes, which have been extended with Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) until 10am tomorrow.

The presence of former Hong Kong galloper Dao Dao also creates interest. Placed in the Hong Kong leg of the 2009 Asian Mile Challenge, connections are no doubt eyeing off the riches in the 2010 series with a $US1m bonus on offer for wins in any two Challenge legs and a $US2m bonus for wins in three legs.

Saturday’s upset Group 2 Pure Blonde St George Stakes (1800m) winner La Rocket is nominated to make a surprise return to Caulfield, with New Zealand visitor Lord Tavistock looming as a wildcard amongst the entries.

Rounding out the nominations for the race are dual Group 1 winner Sniper’s Bullet, last start Sportingbet Kilmore Cup (1600m) winner Joku, Barbaricus and three-year-old filly Aloha.

The Mick Price-trained Aloha also features amongst the nominations for Friday night’s $200,000 MV Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley which closed with RVL today too.

The Group 2 race for three-year-old fillies has attracted 15 entries with Tallow, Speedy Natalie, Absolute Faith and Tio Rossa other notable entries for the meeting’s headline race.

Back at Caulfield, nominations have been extended until 10am tomorrow for five of the nine races on Saturday including The Inglis Premier, a $252,000 race which is open to graduates of the 2009 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sales and has drawn 10 entries.

Acceptances for the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield will close at 9am on Wednesday, with the remainder of the program taken 24 hours later.

Acceptances for the Moonee Valley night meeting, featuring the MV Fillies Classic and the $100,000 Moonee Valley Night Cup (2500m), will be taken at 9am on Wednesday.

Media Contact: Shaun Kelly – RVL Communications Manager M: 0417 145 796 P: (03) 9258 4252 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.