By Ray Hickson
It’s taken some time for Sydney Bowler to get his groove back after a dramatic day on the Gold Coast in January last year that could have cost him more than just 12 months of his racing career.
The scenes prior to that Gold Coast Guineas, when Sydney Bowler flipped in the barriers and became wedged, have been well documented.
Trainer Tom Charlton.Credit: Getty Images
After being nursed back to full health, the four-year-old has had four runs without success but co-trainer Tom Charlton says the signs are there he’s turned the corner.
Charlton said on the back of a luckless fifth on Anzac Day he feels Sydney Bowler has his chance in the Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap (1400m) at Kensington today – if he can gain a start.
Sydney Bowler, $4.20 with TAB on Tuesday, is second emergency with Saturday’s Scone meeting a fallback if scratchings don’t fall his way.
“He was needing some positive experiences at the races and each time we’ve stepped him out he’s done that and last time he behaved beautifully at the races,” Charlton said.
“It was a high-stress experience [at the Gold Coast] and that’s probably a bit of his characteristic. He is kind natured but can get hot and bothered at times and that was reflecting in his racing.
“He didn’t get warm before the gates [last start] which has been a thing with him and he executed his race well. We think we’re progressing the right way, and we’re particularly happy with the way he’s going.”
The gelding found all sorts of trouble in the run when he was beaten 1-1/2 lengths by Thunderlips on Anzac Day and Charlton said aside from the lack of luck it showed Sydney Bowler is close to a deserved win.
“The way the race unfolded we went from looking like we were going to get a good run to suddenly getting dragged further and further out of the race,” he said.
“What we can take from the race is we saw a really good performance from the horse and one that suggested he’s ready to get himself back in the winner’s stall and hopefully progress on from there.
“We’re confident he will get back to that solid Saturday grade horse and who knows where we might be able to go beyond that.”
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
