John O’Shea and Tom Charlton will be at the centre of a tradition vs innovation battle on Victoria Derby and Golden Eagle day.
The older of the partnership, O’Shea, will head to Melbourne to saddle O’sheamus and One Step Closer in the Derby, while Charlton will stay in Sydney with Linebacker, the second favourite for the Golden Eagle.
They have targeted this day from the beginning of the spring and it could be the biggest for their partnership.
“If you have the right horses these are races you mark a long way out and we get to them with good chances,” O’Shea said. “It doesn’t matter where they are, and it is good for racing to have choices.”
O’sheamus and One Step Closer pushed their Derby case by running third and fourth in the Vase at Moonee Valley on Saturday, and both look like they will relish the 2500m.
“Both of them have been building towards the Derby and they will certainly get the trip,” O’Shea said. “I know the favourite [Observer] won well, but O’sheamus found traffic at the wrong time and was really strong late.”
“I think the big spaces of Flemington will suit him.”
OBSERVER WITH AN ARROGANT WIN IN THE VASE 😮
How about Zahra’s confidence 🤣🤣
Onto the Derby for this rising star! pic.twitter.com/sfFBGYQEAY
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 25, 2025
Charlton will oversee Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker as he reaches his ultimate spring target, the $10 million Golden Eagle.
While the preparation hasn’t gone exactly to plan, Linebacker is the $4.50 second pick behind unbeaten superstar filly, Autumn Glow ($2.20), following his Silver Eagle success.
Japanese raider Panja Tower lurking at $6 and gets a lot of respect from O’Shea coming out as a Group 1 winner.
“In the perfect world I would have loved to have had a run at mile with Linebacker,” O’Shea said.
“He was just a bit behind after that setback, which saw him miss the Epsom, but everything he is doing says he is at the top of his game.”
“The trial with Ka Ying Rising was there for everyone to see and he ran right up to that in the Silver Eagle.”
“He is ready for the 1500m but it is a very good race. Obviously Autumn Glow is very good and any horse that can win a Group 1 in Japan scares me.”
