John O’Shea is confident that Linebacker will be far from ring rusty when he returns as a gelding in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick.

A Group 1 placegetter, Linebacker only made two appearances in the spring, most recently finishing sixth in the Golden Rose after an uncharacteristic pre-race display. This led to a disappointing performance below expectations.

After being spelled and gelded, the talented colt will make his comeback in Saturday’s three-year-old feature, having raced just twice in the past 10 months.

However, drawing from his strong fourth-place finish to Traffic Warden in The Run To The Rose (1200m) last September, O’Shea is optimistic that Linebacker will be a contender 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 the topweight of 58.5kg, with Kerrin McEvoy confirmed as the jockey for the ride.

O’Shea will also have an emerging filly, Snow In May, in the race. The filly had a rapid rise through the ranks last preparation, winning a class one race at her second start at Newcastle in August before finishing in the placings at the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) two runs later.

While O’Shea believes Snow In May may prefer a longer distance than Saturday’s sprint, he feels that the timing of this race suits her better than 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,” O’Shea said.

Snow In May and Linebacker will line up alongside each other in barriers three and four, respectively, as part of a 10-horse field for the Group 3 event.