McDonald pulls the right rein in Run To The Rose
TOP jockey James McDonald had his choice of Godolphin runners in the Group 2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill on Saturday and he pulled the right rein in choosing Astern.
McDonald stated that Astern was his best horse to follow this spring carnival and he proved to be a good judge when the three-year-old won the Run To The Rose in impressive fashion.
McDonald positioned the colt just off the pace before taking a run along the inside. Tommy Berry, who was aboard race-favourite Star Turn, sat quietly in the straight but Astern had all the momentum and the two battled gamely to the line.
“He’s the king of the castle,” a jubilant McDonald said. “The real deal.
“Obviously I stuck with him all the way through, it’s been well documented I’ve had a soft spot for him.
“I haven’t had a horse move so well, so if he can run 1400 (metres) he’s got a good chance in the Golden Rose.”
Astern took its overall record to four wins from five starts with its only failure coming in the Golden Slipper and now the Group 1 Golden Rose is on the agenda.
The son of Medaglia D’oro was having its first run since April, but after a recent trial win, it looked prime for a top effort.
Trainer John O’Shea wasn’t jumping the gun in regards to running in the Golden Rose, but was pleased with what he witnessed on Saturday.
“It was a lovely team effort to get him to the races today,” O’Shea said.
“He’s learning his trade well. At this level you can’t afford to have anything go wrong, have to gave those lovely James McDonald rides.
“I would hope so (running in the Golden Rose), see what Mac (James McDonald) says.
“We’ll sit at home and have a chat to the team, see what the boss thinks and take it all in over the next fortnight.”
Star Turn was gallant in second and will lose no admirers heading to the Golden Rose and Impending ran home late to nab the third position.