John O’Shea isn’t anticipating Linebacker being ring rusty when he resumes for the first time as a gelding in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick.
The Group 1 placegetter was only seen twice in the spring, most recently when sixth in the Golden Rose after a coltish pre-race display that resulted in him performing below expectations.
Immediately spelled and gelded, Linebacker will kick off his latest campaign in Saturday’s three-year-old feature having only raced twice in the past 10 months.
However, taking a line through his closing fourth to Traffic Warden first-up in The Run To The Rose (1200m) in September, O’Shea is expecting him to be a force in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).
“First-up he was very good last time in the six (furlong race), and he is going to concentrate a little bit better this week,” O’Shea said.
“He came through his trial really well. I’m very happy with him and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
Under the set weights and penalties conditions, Linebacker will carry topweight of 58.5kg with regular jockey Kerrin Mcevoy secured for the ride.
He will be one of two Eskimo Prince runners for the stable along with emerging filly Snow In May, who made a rapid ascent through the grades last preparation, winning a class one race at her second start at Newcastle in August before placing in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) two runs later.
O’Shea expects Snow In May to want further than Saturday’s sprint journey, but says the timing of the race suits her better than taking the more traditional fillies’ path through next weekend’s Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) as she heads towards the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) on March 1.
“We think three weeks into the Surround is better for her so she can have a little burn around on Saturday,” he said.
Snow In May and Linebacker have drawn alongside one another in barriers three and four respectively with a field of 10 accepting for the Group 3 contest.
