Viking Legend will continue his march towards some of the better spring carnival races when he takes the next step back from injury in Saturday's Listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill.The then-Gai Waterhouse-trained gelding was Group One-placed in the Spring Champion Stakes, Victoria Derby and Randwick Guineas during the 2009-10 season before injuring a tendon.He spent 15 months on the sidelines, returning for new trainers Ross Simpson and Tracey Barnes last month with an encouraging close-up fifth t

Viking Legend will continue his march towards some of the better spring carnival races when he takes the next step back from injury in Saturday's Listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill.

The then-Gai Waterhouse-trained gelding was Group One-placed in the Spring Champion Stakes, Victoria Derby and Randwick Guineas during the 2009-10 season before injuring a tendon.

He spent 15 months on the sidelines, returning for new trainers Ross Simpson and Tracey Barnes last month with an encouraging close-up fifth to Title at Randwick.

Simpson was buoyed enough to head interstate to the Listed Glasshouse Hcp (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast where Viking Legend finished midfield.

"The run in Queensland was probably a bit my fault," Simpson said.

"I told (jockey) Chris (O'Brien) that I expected him to go forward but the race didn't pan out, they nearly broke the race record on a slow track."

Viking Legend's best form has been over 1600m and beyond and Simpson is mindful of that heading into Saturday's 1500m feature.

However, he warned punters not to underestimate his charge.

"I wouldn't write him off on Saturday, he's still in with a big chance," Simpson said.

"But he'll be a lot better once he gets to 1800 or 2000 metres."

That will happen sooner rather than later.

Simpson said Viking Legend would be sent to do some work on the water-walker after racing at Rosehill before tackling the Premier's Cup Prelude (1800m) at the same track on August 13.

The Listed Premier's Cup (1800m) at Rosehill two weeks later is his short-term goal and all going well, bigger fish await.

"Some of his owners, their main aim is the Caulfield Cup but whether he gets 2400 metres or not, I'm not sure," Simpson said.

"He got it as a three-year-old but that was against other three-year-olds.

"We might run him in the Metropolitan here before Melbourne and that will tell me whether he stays.

"It's an open book at the moment."

Jeff Penza will partner Viking Legend in the Winter Stakes which has attracted a final field of 12.

The Tracey Bartley-trained multiple Group One winner Sniper's Bullet is topweight with 60kg and has drawn barrier nine, immediately inside Viking Legend.

Simpson envisages that horse going forward and says Penza might be able to use it to advantage, although after his experience in the Glasshouse he won't be tying his rider down with instructions.

"The wide gate doesn't worry me," Simpson said.

"Tracey Bartley's horse has drawn inside us and he should go forward so if we can go with him it will give us a cart across.

"But the instructions will be to ride him where he's comfortable."