Over a year after a traumatic incident in the Magic Millions Guineas, Sydney Bowler is still on the road to recovery, both mentally and physically, thanks to the patient handling of his training team.

The four-year-old will continue his slow rebuild on Saturday in the NSW Bookmakers Co-Op Handicap (1400m) at Randwick, stepping back into Saturday-grade company.

While his return has been steady, co-trainer John O’Shea stressed that expectations remain tempered.

Originally unbeaten after his first two runs, Sydney Bowler was a leading contender for the 2024 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast before a barrier incident saw him flip and become stuck. The race was delayed by 80 minutes while he was sedated and safely removed.

“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.”

He has run three times since returning, most recently finishing fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury, and while he hasn’t won, his effort has pleased connections.

“He has been very nervous at the races,” O’Shea said.

“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.”

Also resuming for the O’Shea and Tom Charlton partnership at Randwick is Good Banter, winner of last year’s Adrian Knox Stakes, who lines up in the TAB Handicap (1600m).

O’Shea said her light spring campaign was designed to ease the transition into open grade 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,” he said.

Meanwhile in Adelaide, their Oaks runner Polymnia — second in this year’s Adrian Knox — tackles the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).

The stable is chasing a third major this season, having already scored with Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas and with Schwarz in the William Reid Stakes, who is now bound for the Doomben 10,000.