THE ASTROLOGIST PRIMED FOR UK DEBUT AT YORK
Malua Racing assistant trainer Dom Sutton has issued a positive report on The Astrologist in a video feature released on Friday by QIPCO British Champions Series in partnership with Great British Racing International.
The Australian sprinter, who was last seen when finishing a close runner-up in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night in late March, is due to make his UK debut in the Group 2 1895 Duke Of York Stakes on the opening day of York Racecourse’s Dante Meeting next Wednesday, 17th May.
The Astrologist will be the first UK runner for father-son trainer duo Leon and Troy Corstens, who are based at Flemington, Melbourne.
All being well following next week’s race, The Astrologist will head to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (formerly Platinum Jubilee Stakes) on the final day of Royal Ascot, Saturday 24th June.
Speaking after a recent racecourse gallop under jockey Ryan Moore at Newmarket Racecourse’s Rowley Mile, where the first two British Classics were staged last weekend, Sutton said:
“We’re over here for a few months so it allowed us to give him time to sort of settle into his routine and we didn’t have to rush him into doing any serious work straight away, which was great. We could sort of get him out on the [Newmarket] Heath and get him looking around at the new surroundings and yeah, he’s handled it really well.
“When you’re travelling with a horse you get a lot more time to spend some one-on-one attention. I think he’s really appreciating that. He’s getting spoilt a little bit going out for a pick of grass twice a day.”
Also watching on as The Astrologist took to the track at Newmarket was Anthea Leigh, Raceday Clerk of the Course at York Racecourse. Looking ahead to the contest next week, Leigh commented:
“Our six-furlong [1,200m] course is very level and very flat. It should be absolutely perfect for him, so this should be a really fair trail and we’ll be going in on natural ground so we’re looking forward to seeing these wonderful horses. Highfield Princess is also going for the Duke of York and it looks like being a great clash.”