Group One winner Shellscrape is close to a return to racing and it could come as soon as Saturday at Caulfield.

The sprinter won a barrier trial at Werribee on Monday in a significant step towards a race return after being taken out of stallion duties last year.

Many of his first foals were born with a rare deformity, either without tails or with missing vertebrae in their tails, prompting owner Geoff Grimish to send him back into work.

Now a six-year-old, Shellscrape was sent to trainer Nikki Burke for the second phase of his racing career after being prepared by Chris Waller for his initial 25 starts.

After Monday's trial, Burke believes the sprinter is right to make a comeback.

Shellscrape, who hasn't raced for two years, is nominated for an 1100m race at Caulfield on Saturday but Burke said that might come too soon.

The trainer was encouraged by the report from jockey Dwayne Dunn after Monday's 800m trial which Shellscrape won against three rivals.

"Dwayne said he picked up terrific. He said he had his ears pricked and said they really picked up and sprinted," Burke said.

Shellscrape has been in work for about five months but Burke wanted to make sure the winner of six races, including a Group One Galaxy, still wanted to do it.

"Dwayne said `find him a race, the endeavour is still there'," Burke said.

"He still wants to do it.

"He's nominated for Saturday. It might be a bit close but we'll have a look at it. I'm just happy to get over today."

Shellscrape is among 24 nominations for the Caulfield race and has been given equal topweight of 60.5kg with Amaethon.

The feature race at Caulfield will be the Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) which attracted 15 nominations including Centennial Park and last year's South Australian Derby winner Zabeelionaire.