Astern blitzes rivals in Group 1 Golden Rose
IT was only a year ago in the Golden Rose where Exosphere made a name for itself, but a year later Godolphin have returned with a colt that could be even better.
Astern was one of the best-backed runners at Rosehill on Saturday and the betting plunge paid off ($4.20 into $3 at CrownBet) as the impressive three-year-old colt blitzed its rivals in the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose.
Jockey James McDonald let the son of Medaglia D’oro settle from the wide draw as Yankee Rose set the pace in front. McDonald pulled Astern wide around the home turn and it never looked like getting beaten as it showed an incredible turn-of-foot to fly past stablemate Impending and the seemingly unlucky Omei Sword.
McDonald stood up in the irons and beat his chest after crossing the line aboard Astern – a colt he rates better than Exosphere.
“Absolute ripper! It was pretty clean sailing, I’m glad to draw 12 out of 14,” McDonald said. “There’s not a horse in the land that would run past it at 1400 (metres), bring on Winx.
“This horse can reel off some serious sectionals. I love him. (He’s) better, six lengths better (than Exosphere).”
Trainer John O’Shea agreed with McDonald, but didn’t want to put any public pressure on the three-year-old.
“Mac (James McDonald) always felt that, fair to say his judgement is spot on,” O’Shea said.
Astern came into the Golden Rose having won the Group 2 Run To The Rose last start which proved to be the best form race for the feature.
“We thought the race (Run To The Rose) was an exceptional form race,” O’Shea said. “We thought he’d get the job done for us and he did.
“We’re just happy we brought him back and he’s going well.”
O’Shea wasn’t giving away too much on his plans for Astern, but did mention it could line up in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude which would add plenty of excitement to the Melbourne Spring carnival.
“I think we need to get him home, see how he pulls up,” O’Shea said. “We’d always envisioned going to the Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
“He’d probably run the mile the way he went today. We’re as confident as you can be.”
Stablemate Impending ran well for third and will likely keep on well for the spring.
“Great team effort. We’re going into the spring with some nice horses.”
Three-year-old fillies have a shocking record in the Golden Rose, but Omei Sword didn’t lose any admirers in running second. The Chris Waller-trained filly had no luck in running and although it wouldn’t have beaten Astern, it could have finished much closer.