Astern (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) made his seasonal bow a winning one in the 1200-metre G2 Run for the Rose S. at Rosehill Saturday. Twice a winner at the group level previously, in the G3 Widden Kindergarten S. in February and in the April G2 Uvex Silver Slipper S. on either side of an 11th in 'TDN Rising Star' Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus})'s G1 Golden Slipper S., Astern narrowly bested race favorite Star Turn (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}), with the duo finishing up well ahead of the remainder, with fellow Godolphin horse Impending (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) third. Astern is nominated to the 1400-metre A$1-million G1 Golden Rose S., but a start in a fortnight's time is not a guarantee.
“It was well documented he looks to have nice improvement, but he is learning his trade well and apart from a blemish in the Golden Slipper where he didn't have a good preparation in the lead up to it and a wide barrier, he's got a wonderful record,” winning trainer John O'Shea told racing.com. “We will see what [James McDonald] Mac says, whether he's confident about him at seven [furlongs] but that very good Hawkes galloper [Star Turn] and him cleared out, so they look to be two of the chances.”
'TDN Rising Star' El Divino (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), a half-brother to Australia's wonder mare and MG1SW Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), suffered his first defeat in fourth.
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