Trainer Tom Charlton will separate two key horses from his yard across state borders this coming weekend, positioning Linebacker for the Luskin Star Stakes at Scone as promising speedster Napoleonic takes on the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.

Linebacker features in entries for the pair of races, but Charlton is inclined to choose Scone where the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) offers 100m more, fitting the horse’s optimal range.

“He is nominated for both, and we can think about it, but he will probably go to Scone and Napoleonic will go to Queensland,” Charlton said.

“With Linebacker, 1300 is a distance he’s very effective at. He will enjoy Scone and if we can get a bit of confidence in him, we can get him to the Stradbroke (Handicap).”

Winner of the 2025 Randwick Guineas, Linebacker competed at high levels during autumn.

He was beaten by a mere 1-1/2 lengths from Joliestar in his first-up Canterbury Stakes (1300m), held midfield in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) won by Autumn Glow, and claimed sixth place solidly in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).

According to Charlton, the gelding should improve with a freshening and shorter distance as he aims to return to the winners’ list.

“His Canterbury Stakes run was great, and the George Ryder turned out to be a very good form race, and he wasn’t too bad in hindsight,” Charlton said.

“In the Doncaster, he put himself in a good position and they went very quick. He presented like he was going to be in the finish, but the pattern of that race probably played against him.

“He was the best on-speed horse, and he might appreciate a freshen up and coming back to that 1300 and 1400 metres.”

Napoleonic received a spell post his competitive Canterbury Stakes run and has dominated two recent barrier trials.

Second across the line in the Eskimo Prince Stakes as well as the Hobartville Stakes, the three-year-old eyes the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), stepping via the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) this Saturday and Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm in two weeks.

“He’s still improving and developing, and his trial is indicative he has improved again,” Charlton said.

“We came back this time thinking he was on a three-run Stradbroke campaign.

“James (McDonald) is riding him, so clearly he thinks he’s capable of winning.”

Discover competitive racing betting markets ahead of the Luskin Star Stakes.