Golden Rose winner Astern stands in the way of Capitalist finding his way back into the winner’s stall in the Group 2 $300,000 The Star Roman Consul (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Capitalist, above, will take on the short priced favourite Astern in the Roman Consul at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Golden Slipper winning jockey Blake Shinn who rides Capitalist again admits that Astern will be hard to beat following the colts outstanding win in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 10.
“Obviously Astern is the testing material,” Shinn told Racing NSW News.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Capitalist was set to clash with Astern in the Golden Rose but those plans had to be canned when Written Tycoon colt suffered a shock defeat when fourth in the Group 3 $150,000 Smithfield RSL Club San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 13 at his first run back after winning the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The Snowdens sent Capitalist out for a freshen up and he showed he was back in business with an impressive Randwick barrier trial win over 800m on September 20.
Shinn is expecting a more competitive showing from Capitalist and is looking forward to lining up against Astern again after the John O’Shea trained colt was a well beaten eleventh in the Golden Slipper.
“He has had a lovely trial in between,” Shinn said.
“Things to suit on Saturday, dry track, level weights. We have met him (Astern) in the Slipper and beaten him before and looking forward to the clash against him.”
Shinn is certain to give Capitalist the run of the race from barrier three in the eight horse field of three year olds while James McDonald will settle Astern near the tail of the field from gate seven.
Team Snowden will also saddle up the undefeated Russian Revolution who will likely go forward for Kerrin McEvoy from barrier eight.
Russian Revolution has won three from three and completed his hat trick with an all the way win in the Group 3 $150,000 KS Environmental Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 13.
Astern has dominated the Roman Consul betting at $1.60 with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Capitalist at $3.50 with the Kris Lees trained Guard Of Honour on the third line of betting at $11.
Market order for the Roman Consul at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.60 Astern, $3.50 Capitalist, $11 Guard Of Honour, $15 Russian Revolution, $21 El Divino, $31 Flash Fibian, $51 Mount Panorama, $81 Nikitas.
