Astern to miss Guineas Prelude

Caulfield Guineas favourite Astern has returned an elevated temperature reading and will miss his scheduled lead-up in Saturday’s G3 Guineas Prelude at Caulfield.

Trainer John O’Shea says the colt required routine treatment which will prevent him travelling to Melbourne as scheduled on Wednesday.

“The horse was found to have an elevated temperature this afternoon,” O’Shea said.

“His treatment will compromise his travel plans and as a result he won’t be going to Melbourne for the Guineas Prelude.”

As a result, James McDonald, who was to have ridden Astern, will remain in Sydney where he will be aboard Godolphin’s runners at Rosehill on Saturday.