![Napoleonic [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2073635.jpg)
If you look at the honour roll of the Roman Consul Stakes, it’s filled with stallions and even has a strong Everest influence from the past couple of decades.
It’s why John O’Shea and Tom Charlton see it as a testing ground for Napoleonic on Saturday.
Only a Group 2, the Roman Consul has been won by stallions that stand in Australia this year for the past six seasons, while the 2013 winner Zoustar and the 2012 winner Jolie Star combined to produce the Everest second favourite Joliestar.
In many ways, it is a better race in shaping the breed than the Coolmore Stud Stakes as it continually produces quality winners.
“You win a Roman Consul and you have a very good horse on your hands,” O’Shea said. ”It’s a big test for our bloke, but we have always had an opinion of him, and he is starting to show why.”
After two runs as a two-year-old without a win, Napoleonic blew away a Wyong maiden field on his spring return before an easy win in midweek company at Warwick Farm.
On both occasions, he demonstrated acceleration and the ability to sustain speed, which suggests he will be well suited for a higher grade.
The son of Wootton Bassett will jump many grades as he takes on Golden Slipper winner Marhoona in Saturday’s set weights Group 2.
“He has been good in his wins and at this time of year, you get the chance to test them pretty quickly,” O’Shea said.
“He is learning his craft, but the talent is there, and we will find out where he fits in in the Roman Consul.”
“To be fair, Marhoona is a very good filly and has already done it, so she is a good measuring stick for us.”
“James [McDonald] has been very happy with him in his two wins, but with him in Melbourne, Zac Lloyd will ride him and they will know he is there.”
Meanwhile, Linebacker is back on a Golden Eagle path via the Silver Eagle after toppling Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising in a barrier trial earlier in the week.
“He was going really [well], before that little setback, but that [trial] was a bit of a surprise,” O’Shea said. “He has improvement left in him and the Silver Eagle will get to a peak for the Golden Eagle.”
