Kerrin Mcevoy has picked up the ride on exciting colt Linebacker for his campaign starting point in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose.
The Champagne Stakes runner-up, who is on a Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas path, was given an exhibition gallop between races at Randwick on Saturday as a final tune-up for his return.
James Mcdonald partnered him in the solo 1000m workout, the three-year-old galloping at a leisurely clip before coming home in 36.98 seconds for his final 600m sectional.
McDonald will be in Melbourne next Saturday to partner Via Sistina in the Makybe Diva Stakes and co-trainer Tom Charlton confirmed McEvoy would take the reins on Linebacker in the Golden Rose lead-up.
“Kerrin McEvoy will ride him next week,” Charlton said.
“That’s the first time James has ridden him for about a year (at Randwick) and he said he felt great. Very sharp, strong, powerful.
“He’s a buoyant, happy horse at the moment. He is very fresh and well, which is where you want him for this time of the spring. It’s all ahead of him now.”
The Run To The Rose (1200m) is shaping as a tantalising early-spring preview with the likes of Storm Boy, Switzerland and former West Australian Bustling also heading to the Rosehill feature.
While the race is more of a campaign launch pad for Linebacker, Charlton is keen to see him make a positive start.
“We hope he can run well but we’re not going there necessarily thinking it is a must-win by any means,” he said.
“There are some sharp types that will be there.
“But if we went to the 1400 (Ming Dynasty Quality) he would have got 59 or 60 kilos and he’s really well and probably ready for 1200 at set weights.”
Charlton was also delighted to see stable stalwart Lion’s Roar snare another feature with his victory in Friday’s Wyong Cup (2100m).
The seven-year-old, who has accumulated more than $2.3 million in prizemoney, is being aimed towards the Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.