Slipper and Derby Hopes On Show At Rosehill
The most serious test of Golden Slipper prospects so far this season takes place at Rosehill on Saturday, February 20 when Astern returns to the track in the 1,100m, G2 Silver Slipper Stakes.
The most serious test of Golden Slipper prospects so far this season takes place at Rosehill on Saturday, February 20 when Astern (pictured above) returns to the track in the 1,100m, G2 Silver Slipper Stakes.
On a day when G1 Australian Derby candidates will also be under examination, the re-appearance of Astern shapes as the highlight of the Sydney meeting for Godolphin.
A brilliant winner at his only start, Astern (John O'Shea/Hugh Bowman) has shaped as a leading contender for the G1 Golden Slipper and has the opportunity to confirm that status.
The son of Medaglia d'Oro has pleased trainer John O'Shea since coming back into training last month and goes into Saturday's race with the benefit of a comfortable barrier trial win.
"We've been very happy with him all the way through," O'Shea said.
"He won very well at his only start and everything he's done suggests he's taken the next step."
Astern will be ridden by Hugh Bowman who was suitably impressed with his first ride on the colt at Godolphin's Osborne Park training complex on Tuesday.
"He's forward enough to win this weekend, but it's only natural that John (O'Shea) would have him ready to improve with the run," Bowman said.
"He's a very strong colt, physically very forward and mature. He gave me a good feel like a good horse does."
Astern is likely to have another run after Saturday in preparation for the G1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 19.
Godolphin goes into the G2 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill with the three-year-olds Etymology, Shards and Tarquin all on trial for G1 targets.
Already a classic placegetter in the G1 VRC Derby last Spring, Etymology (John O'Shea/Kathy O'Hara) is on a path toward the G1 Australian Derby at Royal Randwick on April 2.
"He's got a long campaign ahead of him after showing a lot of promise in the Spring in Melbourne," O'Shea said.
"He has some residual fitness from the Spring, but the 1,400m on Saturday is short of his best, so we'll just be looking for him to finish off well," O'Shea said.
A decision is yet to be made on a Derby campaign for Shards (John O'Shea/Brenton Avdulla) who could be switched to the 1,600m G1 Doncaster Handicap.
Tarquin (John O'Shea/ Rory Hutchings) will go toward the G1 Rosehill Guineas with the Derby a possibility after that.
The feature race line-up for Rosehill is completed by Allergic who goes for his third successive victory in the 1900m, Listed Parramatta Cup and the former English middle-distance runner Arab Dawn who has his second Australian start in the same race.
Since being switched from racing left-handed in Melbourne to right-handed in Sydney, Allergic (John O'Shea/Tim Clarke) has become the stables most consistent performer.
"He's amazed us with his consistency which I think has a lot to do with the softer tracks in Sydney as well," O'Shea said.
Arab Dawn (John O'Shea/Christian Reith) is out to a distance that should suit better than his first up attempt at 1,600m.
"He's well-weighted and he's fitter now so we're looking for a nice run from him," O'Shea said.
