Astern firm favourite for Roman Consul

Golden Rose winner Astern has been installed the firm favourite for the Group 2 $300,000 The Star Roman Consul (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Astern, above, is the short priced favourite for the Roman Consul at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Astern, above, is the short priced favourite for the Roman Consul at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Ladbrokes.com.au have Astern a dominant $1.60 favourite well ahead of the Golden Slipper winner Capitalist at $3.60 with the Kris Lees trained Guard Of Honour the next in the betting at $10.

Astern has recovered from an elevated temperature that saw trainer John O’Shea cancel plans to send the three year old to Melbourne for the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 8.

The Medaglio D’Oro colt proved to be the best three year old racing in Sydney at the moment with a stunning win in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 10, taking his record to five wins from six starts.

O’Shea has reported that Astern is back to full strength and is ready to continue his Spring Carnival campaign this weekend with James McDonald certain to take a sit back in the field from barrier seven in the eight horse field.

“He has fully recovered from his elevated temperature and has returned to normal work at Osborne Park,” O’Shea told Racing Victoria.

“He will run in the Roman Consul on Saturday at Randwick before his Melbourne plans are confirmed.”

Astern’s only defeat was in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill during the Sydney Autumn Carnival when he finished eleventh to Capitalist after having no luck from the outside barrier.

Capitalist was disappointing at his only run since winning the Golden Slipper when beaten as the short priced favourite when fourth to Star Turn in the Group 3 $150,000 Smithfield RSL Club San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 13.

Co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden sent Capitalist for a freshen up following the shock defeat but he looks to be back on track with an impressive Randwick barrier trial win over 800m on September 20.

Golden Slipper winning jockey Blake Shinn is in the saddle again and will give the Written Tycoon colt every chance from barrier three.

Market order for the Roman Consul at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.60 Astern, $3.60 Capitalist, $10 Guard Of Honour, $14 Russian Revolution, $18 El Divino, $26 Flash Fibian, $41 Mount Panorama, $81 Nikitas.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.