The Astrologist managed to take out the Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington on Saturday, claiming his first Group success while adding to an impressive form-line as the Spring Carnival approaches.
The five-year-old son of Zoustar brought up his third win from his past four starts when holding out Romancer and Too Good Too Hard in the concluding stages of the Group 3 race at Flemington.
Despite their being three weeks until the first Group 1 in Melbourne in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 28, the Corstens yard has indicated The Astrologist will be aimed towards the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on September 18.
The horse showed plenty of Group 1 potential as he was left vulnerable late on in the Aurie’s Star on Saturday. The in-form runner hit the run with 400m to go and yet managed to keep his rivals at bay while being strong through the line.
Jockey Damien Thornton has been with The Astrologist in all four of his runs since returning from Queensland, where the bay gelding spent the first seven months of the year in a campaign that included runs in the Magic Millions Cup and the Group 2 Moreton Cup.
“He’s obviously flying, Leon, Troy and Dom Sutton, they’ve all done a terrific job with him at home,” Thornton told Racing.com following the race.
Thornton was quick to mention that The Astrologist managed to measure up at weight-for-age level at his start prior when finishing a half-length behind the winner in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on July 24.
It remains to be seen whether the Corstens send the five-year-old to the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes fresh off six weeks between runs, or whether they find a race for him on Memsie Stakes Day at Caulfield.
The Astrologist is a $15 chance for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, with boom horse Ayrton and defending champion Behemoth joint $8 favourites with online bookmakers.
