A bold first-up performance has earned The Novelist another shot at black-type company, this time on his home track of Randwick.
The four-year-old will line up in Saturday’s Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m), bidding to go one better than his first-up second to Caballus in the Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was pleasantly surprised by The Novelist’s return as the gelding generally needed a run under his belt to find his best form.
But this time around, he picked up where he left off at the end of last campaign when runner-up in Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January and Bott was taking that as an auspicious sign.
“He was sharper than I expected first-up,” Bott said.
“He usually takes a run or two, but he was really improving at the backend of last preparation too.
“He progressed really well and he has come back in that same order. He keeps improving and if he keeps showing that, there are some nice races in store for him this prep.”
Ten of The Novelist’s 12 starts have been on firm tracks but he has been placed on soft ground.
Randwick was in the latter range when acceptances were taken on Wednesday and Bott was unconcerned about conditions this weekend.
“He seems pretty versatile in all conditions so I’m not worried what’s thrown up there,” he said.
“If there’s the prospect of a heavy track he should be able to handle it.”
Regan Bayliss will partner The Novelist from barrier two and another competitive performance could earn him a trip to Queensland to contest some winter carnival sprints
“The Novelist will remain in Sydney because there is a nice race on the program for him, but there are also plenty of options after that to bring him up for the (Queensland) carnival, the backend of it,” Bott said.
A field of 15 was paid up for Saturday’s feature headed by two-time Kosciuszko winner Front Page and impressive Takeover Target Stakes winner Barber.
