Autumn Glow is expected to shine brightly in the $10 million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick tomorrow but if she doesn’t win, then a Linebacker victory could herald the rise of a new champion jockey.

Autumn Glow, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Australia’s best hoop James McDonald, is expected to leave her opposition in her wake over the 1500 metres and is a short-priced favourite at $1.90.

But if she fails to make a strong start out of the gates or gets stuck in the pack then Linebacker, ridden by young jockey Zac Lloyd has a good strong chance, according to horse racing analyst and Channel Seven icon Bruce McAvaney.

Linebacker, priced at $6, has a Group 1 win under his belt and impressed in a trial with The Everest winner Ka Ying Rising earlier this month.

“Linebacker has always

See Full Page