Golden Rose winner Astern’s Caulfield Guineas campaign is in disarray after the colt has been forced to miss Saturday’s Group 3 $175,000 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield after developing a high temperature.
Astern, above, will miss the Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer John O’Shea had to medicate Astern to help him overcome the elevated temperature thus ruling him out a trip to Melbourne this weekend for his lead up run to the Group 1 $1m Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 8.
“The horse was found to have an elevated temperature,” 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.”
Astern was promoted to the top of the market order at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Caulfield Guineas to be the $3.80 favourite after winning the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 10.
Carrying the Godolphin royal blue colours, Astern swept past his rivals from back in the field to record a two and a quarter lengths win over the Chris Waller trained Omei Sword.
Both winning jockey James McDonald and O’Shea were convinced that the Medaglia D’Oro colt would have no problem handing the step up to the 1600m against the three year olds in the Caulfield Guineas.
“I think class can take them a long way as Spring three-year-olds,” O’Shea said.
“When they get to the Autumn the others catch up physically and it evens out.”
As a result of Astern not travelling to Caulfield this Saturday, McDonald will stay in Sydney and ride at the Golden Pendant Race Day at Rosehill.
Astern’s Golden Rose win was his fifth from six starts and took his prizemoney earnings to just over the $1 million mark.
Early market order for the Caulfield Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.80 Astern, $5 Divine Prophet, $9 Sacred Elixir, Omei Sword, Impending, $11 Evacuation, $15 Saracino, $17 Archives, $26 Inference, Kacking, Seaburge, Prized Icon, $31 Detective, El Sicario, Ken’s Dream, Wazzenme.
