Linebacker has delivered on his potential, winning the Randwick Guineas and giving co-trainer Tom Charlton his first Group 1 victory.

Despite Broadsiding being the $1.60 favourite, Zac Lloyd’s pre-race plan put Linebacker ($9) in the perfect position, allowing him to hold off the favourite in the straight. Broadsiding, trained by James Cummings, finished a half-length behind, with Swiftfalcon third, another neck away.

Charlton, who became co-trainer of the John O’Shea stable in 2023, described the win as “unbelievable,” adding, “He’s always been a very talented horse.”

For O’Shea, it was his 30th Group 1 victory, and he was optimistic about Linebacker’s third-up performance. “We wanted to out-tough them, and the plan worked,” he said.

Lloyd, who had ridden Broadsiding in the Hobartville, executed a perfect strategy, keeping both Broadsiding and Swiftfalcon uncomfortable. “Linebacker is a superior miler,” he said, comfortably holding off Broadsiding in the final 100 metres.