Godolphin's top class homebred Astern (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) came through a barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Monday in pleasing fashion. The G1 Golden Rose S. winner was partnered by James Doyle who never asked the colt a question finishing mid pack in the 1000m heat. Doyle was very happy with the John O'Shea trainee and commented, “He travelled through the trial very well, quickened towards the end and hit the line quite well. He was nice and relaxed and moved great.” Doyle added, “He's a colt with a lot of strength and class, it's easy to understand why the stable has such a high opinion of him.” Following his Group 1 win last year Astern got beaten by Russian Revolution (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) in the G2 Star Roman Consul at Randwick in October before finding only Flying Artie (Aus) (Artie Schiller) too good in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. later that month. Astern's first 2017 target is the G1 Lightning S. at Flemington Feb. 18 and according to O'Shea's assistant trainer Darren Beadman Astern will trial again in a week before traveling to Melbourne.
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