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By Ray Hickson

Trainer John O’Shea says he would rather Linebacker be taking on star colts Broadsiding and Storm Boy on a dry track in Saturday’s $1 million James Squire Golden Rose (1400m) but still feels the Group 1 is within reach.

Trainer John O'Shea (Pic: Steve Hart)

The forecast for Rosehill Gardens suggests there will be rain in the second half of the week and while rated good 4 on Tuesday it’s more likely the track will be in the soft range at best, depending on how much falls.

Linebacker is a heavy track winner and ran Broadsiding to under a length in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes on a heavy 10 so he’s more than adept in those conditions but regardless O’Shea, chasing a first Group 1 with co-trainer Tom Charlton, is pleased with where things sit.

“He was perfect first-up. I watched him work (Tuesday) morning and he looks to have made good progress,’’ O’Shea said.

“It looks to map a lot better so I think that there’s nice tempo and I’m happy with where he drew and the way it’s going to pan out for him at this stage.

“He’s poised to have a really good season and it’s just a matter of him bringing his A-game to the races, though I’d much prefer it to be on top of the ground.”

O’Shea has won the Golden Rose twice, under the Godolphin banner with Exosphere (2015) and Astern (2016).

Linebacker was a $7 chance with TAB after Tuesday’s barrier draw which sees the colt jump from seven in the 11 horse field.

He caught the eye of just about everyone with his slashing first-up fourth in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) two weeks ago where Kerrin McEvoy was forced to drag him back to last from the outside barrier before reeling of some sizzling sectionals.

Punter’s Intelligence data showed he ran 32.94 for his last 600m in that race and 10.91 for his final 200m, but up to 1400m on Saturday it will give him the chance to settle that little bit closer – at least that’s what O’Shea would hope.

“I’d like him to be just behind the main bunch,’’ he said.

“Gai and Adrian’s pair (Storm Boy and Anode) are going to have to work to get across and there’s a few to kick up inside.

“The draw for (Storm Boy) will probably suit him, last in, he’s been a bit tardy away lately so it might help him get out and get across.”

O’Shea has made no secret that the Caulfield Guineas is Linebacker’s major aim this spring and that first-up performance was more than enough to show O’Shea he’s tracking toward his Group 1 goals.

“He’s had a good foundation to run well in the races we have picked out for him,’’ he said.

“He looks to be more than capable at that level, the form around him is very strong.

“There’s not much more we can do now it’s just a matter of getting the job done.”

Linebcker runs fourth at Rosehill on September 14

Next month’s Group 2 Angst Stakes (1600m) is shaping as the second-up target for mares Good Banter and Premise who are set to resume at Rosehill.

O’Shea said both are coming along well and if the rain does arrive as expected Adrian Knox Stakes winner Good Banter would be particularly suited. The pair are nominated for both the Group 2 Golden Pendant and a Benchmark 88 both over 1400m.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Golden Rose at Rosehill