Astrologist has global ambitions
Trainer Troy Corstens has an international itch he still needs to scratch with globetrotter The Astrologist.
The multiple Group 1-placed sprinter, who raced in Dubai and England last campaign, will resume at Caulfield on Boxing Day in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m).
Corstens, who trains in partnership with father Leon, hopes to get The Astrologist back to Meydan for the lucrative $2.2m Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in March.
“Christmas Stakes probably into the Standish and then after that there’s no certain plans,” Corstens said.
“I’ll sit down with (managing owner) Nathan (Bennett) and talk about where he wants to go, ideally we’d love to get another invite back to Dubai for the Al Quoz.
“I think there’s an itch that needs to be scratched there, if we got that, that would be a massive plan, but how we get there and what we’re going to do after the Standish we’ll take it as it comes.”
Should the Dubai plan eventuate again, Corstens said The Astrologist could swing by Hong Kong on the way back or alternatively target something like the Group 1 Stradbroke
Handicap in Brisbane.
The Astrologist was runnerup in the Al Quoz last year then competed well in three UK starts.
He went unplaced first-up at York then finished second in a Group 3 at Haydock before an admirable fifth in the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
“He’s a tough bugger,” Corstens said.
“His ability didn’t change, he is what he is, he ran really well at Ascot, he ran super in Dubai and hopefully we can come back and have a really good prep with him and see where it takes us.
“He’s the kind of horse it’s probably going to take him two or three runs to really hit his straps, he’s just like that.”
The Astrologist is rated a $10 chance with TAB behind Rose Quartz ($4.20), Najem Suhail ($5.50), Midwest ($7), Sweet Ride ($9) and Sghrippa ($9.50).
Corstens warned the sevenyear-old ought not to be judged on his coat in the mounting yard on Tuesday as the travel early in the year warped the gelding’s biological clock.
“He’s still got good improvement to come in the coat but fitness wise he’s very good.”