Macknuckle will take the next step in his comeback journey in a benchmark 95 handicap (1350 metres) at Rosehill on Saturday.

It will be just his second race in 26 months after injury threatened to end his career in 2011.

Macknuckle's racing days appeared over when he injured a suspensory ligament and it was unclear whether he would be able to add to his nine wins and $600,000 in prizemoney.

His journey back has been long, but the eight-year-old is fit again and Dryden has stepped in to rebuild his career.

The move to the Dryden stable is only temporary. Regular trainer Bernie Howlett is recovering from a shoulder reconstruction and asked Dryden to take charge.

''Bernie looked at him and said everything looks good so let's put him to work,'' Dryden said. ''There's no question his legs are holding up, I nurse him but it's not like we wrap him up after every gallop.

''I'm the caretaker. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't take him because the horse is getting so old.

''Hopefully he will run a really nice race for us on Saturday … You can't expect him, after 2½ years off, to be as good as he was.

''But I don't know how good he was because I didn't train him. The proof will be in what races I can win with him. The old horse enjoys it, at this stage he's going terrific.''

Macknuckle flopped in his first trip back to the track in the Wagga Town Plate last week. He finished a disappointing 13th in the 16-horse field, but the shorter distance of 1200 metres didn't suit him.

Macknuckle became the first horse in 24 years to win back-to- back Canberra Cups when he secured his second victory in 2010.

But he had only two more races before breaking down.

Macknuckle's Sydney outing won't be easy. He will take on Sniper's Bullet, a dual group 1 winner with almost $3 million in prizemoney. But his return is about enjoyment, not wins.

Dryden's connection extends beyond friendship with Howlett. He played in Canberra's premier rugby competition against one of Macknuckle's owners, Bob Barlow.

Dryden's aim is to build Macknuckle up in distance and find a suitable race in Melbourne or Sydney to aim for more glory.

''You can't go straight up, you have to build up … you wouldn't put money on him based on his work because he puts as much effort into it as a lazy footballer.

''When he wants to stop for a break, he does - just like when I used to catch Bob hovering around the wing or fullback looking for a break.''