Fifteen months after a shocking incident in the Magic Millions Guineas, Sydney Bowler continues to work through the psychological effects, taking the next step in his return this Saturday at Randwick.

The gelding resumes in the NSW Bookmakers Co-Op Handicap (1400m), with co-trainer John O’Shea making it clear that while the stable is encouraged, expectations remain grounded.

Previously unbeaten, Sydney Bowler was a leading hope in the 2024 Magic Millions Guineas until a freak mishap in the barriers saw him flip and become trapped, requiring sedation and causing a lengthy delay.

“We’ve been mindful of the serious nature of what went on there, and we wanted to bring him back steadily and not rush,” O’Shea said.

“Everyone expected because he was unbeaten, he should be straight back. But with the trauma of what he went through, it has taken a while for him to work it out.”

Since returning, he’s finished close-up in all three runs, including a solid fourth at Hawkesbury over 1300m.

“He has been very nervous at the races,” O’Shea added. “We just need to get on top of all those things. He has been performing admirably considering what he has been behaving like at the races. Once we get a bank of good, solid performances and get him relaxed, he will be fine.

“I’m not perplexed by the fact he hasn’t won this time in. I think that will come in good time.”

Good Banter, a stablemate and Adrian Knox Stakes winner, resumes in the TAB Handicap (1600m) and is expected to improve with racing.

“There are a couple of nice races we’ve got programmed for her later on in the season over a bit of ground so we will get her started and go from there,” O’Shea said.

Further south, Polymnia will represent the stable in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), aiming to build on her second in the Adrian Knox.

The stable has enjoyed top-level success already this year with Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas and Schwarz, who captured the William Reid Stakes and now heads toward the Doomben 10,000.