Adrian Bott is not taking anything for granted with North England, but the trainer is optimistic the talented colt will race at Randwick on Saturday.

Bott and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse are hoping to get North England’s Golden Slipper hopes back on track in the $300,000 Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m).

The colt was scratched from the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) on February 22 due to an unsatisfactory blood test, but Bott has been pleased with his progress since.

“All the markers and parameters appear to be in good shape and right on track,” Bott said. “Hopefully, we can have a smooth week and he’ll take his place in the Todman.”

The Todman Stakes, for colts and geldings, runs alongside the fillies-only Reisling Stakes, both key lead-up races for the Golden Slipper, a race Waterhouse has used to launch half of her eight Golden Slipper winners.

Farnan, the sire of North England, also won the Todman before his Golden Slipper success. Bott and Waterhouse gave North England a solid workout in an exhibition gallop at Randwick last Saturday.

North England hasn’t raced since his victory in the $1 million Golden Gift on November 9, which followed a third-place finish in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate. Bott said the colt’s past successes make the missed race less of a concern.

“He didn’t miss any work, just the first-up race, so it was important to miss but we’re still on track for the Slipper,” Bott explained.

The Golden Slipper market is set to be influenced by Saturday’s results, with Wodeton and Beiwacht among North England’s Todman rivals, while Tempted heads the Reisling Stakes market.