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By Ray Hickson

It’s taken some time for Sydney Bowler to get his groove back after that dramatic day on the Gold Coast in January last year that could have cost him more than just 12 months of his racing career.

Trainer Tom Charlton (Pic: Grant Guy)

The scenes prior to that Gold Coast Guineas have been well documented and, 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 on Wednesday – 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.

“Unfortunately he got himself in an awkward position and rattled home and arguably should have figured very closely. 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.

“It’s difficult to quantify where he was heading. 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.”

Charlton and co-trainer John O’Shea produce a promising filly in Burn The Sky who steps out for the first time in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1400m).

It’s notable she is nominated for the Group 1 JJ Atkins in Brisbane next month but Charlton said that’s largely due to early entries and she’d need to win to even consider it.

The Zoustar filly won a trial on April 11 then ran third behind Agarwood, an easy winner last Wednesday, 13 days later.

“She’s a big rangy filly, definitely her best days will be her three-year-old season,’’ he said.

“We had her in at Gosford but being a big filly on a tight turning track over 1200m we didn’t think was in her best interests and 1400m is a more than suitable kick off point for her.

Sydney Bowler runs fifth at Kensington on April 25

“Her trials have been more than acceptable and we’re looking forward to getting her started in what looks a competitive race.”

Tom Charlton on Buckeye (race 1): “His effort at Wagga was excellent, he just bumped into one well above average on the day. He hasn’t done a lot wrong in all three runs. He’s taking on some solid opposition but he’s progressive and he'll have his each-way chance.”

On Kenmare Bay (race 8): “He was disappointing last start, we put the blinkers on and rode him closer than we have done previously. We like where he’s drawn, he can come out and do no work and let the race unfold. He’s capable of winning a race of this nature but needs to bounce back.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting