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After a stint on the sidelines, Harbour Views is ready for his return at Flemington.

Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams is hopeful that Harbour Views can be a spring player in some shape or form. 

Just where the French-bred seven-year-old fits in, Williams is unsure, but the spring starts at Flemington on Saturday in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m). 

Williams is not expecting Harbour Views to be troubling the scorers on Saturday when he's fronts up against the exciting Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained Ayrton, but he is hopeful of a good performance. 

Harbour Views has not raced since Melbourne Cup Day last year when he finished 11th over 1800m. 

That followed mixed efforts at Group 1 level in the Underwood Stakes and Caulfield Stakes having finished third in the Feehan Stakes behind Humidor at his previous outing. 

Williams explained Harbour Views required arthroscopic surgery on a sesamoid injury. 

"He whacked his sesamoid and had a hairline fracture, so he had to go and have an arthroscope and get that cleaned up which required having the time off," Williams said. 

"It wasn't a moving part or anything that was going to worry him at all, but it was something that was there and that cost us a preparation." 

Williams said Harbour Views was around 15 kilos overweight and looks like he will need the run on Saturday. 

"He's still a bit "showy" condition wise, but he's sound, good and I'm really happy with him but he'll want a run," Williams said. 

"He'll like a mile second-up or something like the Sandown Stakes (on September 25) might be his go and then we'll see how he's going and where he might fit back in again. 

"It will be good to see him back and if he's hitting the line, we'll be happy. 

"Ayrton's going there, so it's not going to be an easy kick-off, but you have to start off somewhere."