After going agonisingly close to winning a Group One race four times, the Matthew Dale-trained Fell Swoop is set to return for another crack at the big time.

Dale welcomed Fell Swoop back to his Canberra stable on Friday with his sights firmly set on going one better than this year’s Group One TJ Smith Stakes in which he was runner-up to Chautauqua.

He said Fell Swoop could replicate his Group One path to the TJ Smith which brought a fourth in the Galaxy and second in the Oakleigh Plate.

The alternative would be to use the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap as lead-up races to the $2.5 million sprint at Randwick.

“We’re yet to finalise that yet,” Dale said.

A Group One win remained elusive during spring with Fell Swoop runner-up to shock Manikato Stakes winner Rebel Dane and third behind Malaguerra and Spieth in the Darley Classic.

“Within a fortnight there last preparation we got beaten half a length combined in two $1 million Group Ones,” Dale said.

“That’s racing and it’s just good to be competing at that level so consistently.”

“He’s right there. We just need things to go his way in one of these races where he’s had a little bit of bad luck.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au