Two of the forty foals from the final Australian crop of Teofilo (IRE) fought out the Bet 365 3yo Maiden Plate (1300m) at Echuca on Thursday, and the winner could measure up in stakes races this spring.
Making his seasonal debut after placings at Caulfield and Flemington last season at two, the Danny O'Brien-trained Linas Legend made short work of a good-looking field of three-year-olds.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Linas Legend travelled sweetly on the outside of the leader Shirshov. Set to an all-out drive rounding the home turn, Linas Legend was doing his best work in the final 100m to defeat Character (Teofilo) by two and three-quarter lengths with Star Midfielder (Magnus) a further three-quarter of a length back in third.
Bred by part-owner Peter Kopke, Linas Legend holds an entry for the Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600 METRES) on October 9.
He has a fan in Lane who was riding him for the first time.
"He's a lovely colt who I have not had much to do with until now," Lane said.
"I was able to use him early, then switch him off and produce him late.
"First up at 1300m is always an ask, and he did it really well.
"He can go to town now, 1400m or a mile is no worry."
A half-brother to the talented 6-time winner Lina's Hero (Elvstroem), Linas Legend is the third winner from as many to race out of the winning Statue Of Liberty (USA) mare Cloanthy whose granddam Cazuleigh (Centaine) is a sister to Waikato Stud's famed broodmare Escada.
Cloanthy has a yearling colt by Highland Reel (IRE) and was covered by Teofilo's son Palentino last spring.
Despite averaging just 57 foals in his six seasons shuttling to Darley Stud, Teofilo (IRE) left an incredible legacy with the likes of Happy Clapper, Humidor, Palentino, Kermadec and Sonntag.
The son of Galileo has also made his presence felt with a pair of Melbourne Cup winners in Twilight Payment (IRE) and Cross Counter (GB) and a Hong Kong star in Exultant (IRE).
