Dalgety debutante has a future

Leading harness racing trainer Cran Dalgety is never without some sire stakes contenders in his barn and tonight at Addington he lines up a three year old who looks a sire stakes horse in the making.

Linton Shard is a big upstanding son of Changeover who is a half brother to both Smiling Shard 1:53.7 ($1,178,793) and Pemberton Shard 1:55.2 ($229.578) while his dam Sly Shard (4 wins) is a half sister to Sly Flyin 1:53.6 ($911,689) so he lacks nothing on the score of breeding.

First produced in January – February of this year, Linton Shard raced and was competitive with Waikiki Beach and Chase The Dream at trials and workouts around Canterbury but looked the type that needed time and he was put aside and given a good break.

Reappearing in mid July, Linton Shard impressed with an effortless win at the Rangiora workouts ten days ago, running home in 58 flat without being seriously asked.

Tonight he faces a nice field of maidens with several handy runners but drawn at barrier two, Linton Shard should really be winning this if he has any sires stakes aspirations.

Trainer Cran Dalgety has a bit of time for Linton Shard.

" He did really well to qualify in the time he did back in February but he needed another six months to fill out into his frame."

" He's come up really good and won at the workouts for "Red" last week so we'll have a go."

" A race over 1950 metres might have been better for him first up but this was the only race for him," Cran said.

Whatever he does tonight, it may pay to follow Linton Shard in his next few assignments as he looks a horse with a lot of upside.

Harnesslink Media