James McDonald and Chris Waller have combined with Lindermann (-105.26) trouncing his rivals in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
The son of Lonhro put the writing on the wall last start, chalking up a much-improved minor placing in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick a fortnight ago, and a return to his favourite circuit has seemingly done the trick.
His last win came at this course and distance, almost a year to the day in the 2023 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), with the now four-year-old finally recapturing his best to return to the winners’ enclosure.
It was an easy watch for favourite backers with James McDonald sliding across to sit on the back of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Just Fine (+450) throughout the journey, before coasting up the inside to put them away stylishly in the end.
There was some late money for Kalapour (+1600) and Stockman (+750) prior to the jump, with both running on nicely to suggest they’re both right on track for a Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) later in the autumn.
It was all about the winner in the end though, as Lindermann cruised away from his rivals by 4.2 lengths on the wire.
2024 Group 3 Sky High Stakes Replay – Lindermann
Chris Waller was on course to discuss the win of his gelding and perhaps even the possibility of backing him up into next Saturday’s Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
“The writing has been on the wall, as we say,” said Waller.
“His two lead-up runs have been in the best company and no disrespect to the horses today but it was a step down and he’s beaten them convincingly. So that was good.
“If he had just won by a neck I would have thought, ‘well it’s not quite what we wanted’ but I think he’s come back really well.
“It could be (the Ranvet), in seven days. Or else the Doncaster in three weeks. We’re pretty well represented in the Ranvet and I’ve got to give respect to what the owners want, of course, the Kepitis family, so I’ll have a chat to them and see what they want to do.”
James McDonald was delighted with the win of his mount before giving some insight on how the track has played early in the day.
“He just cruised through his paces beautifully, it was like a trackwork gallop,” said McDonald.
“That was easy. He would have done more on Tuesday morning.”
“It seemed that way (on-pace) after the first few but the first race was run at a pedestrian pace, second race was probably similar, third race they were a little bit quicker and quickened off the front.
“But the ground is very puggy, like very sticky. When I went out for the second race, there was three loose shoes out on the track, so that just tells it all.”
Lindermann is currently sitting on the third line of betting at $4.50 with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) next Saturday.
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