John Thompson expects Astronomos to benefit from another farm-based between-race recovery when he has the fifth start of his preparation in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup at Rosehill.
The six-year-old gelding’s first campaign for the Randwick trainer has been a valuable learning experience for Thompson who has modified Astronomos’ previous regimen.
“This time in after each run he’s been going back to the owner’s (Paul Fudge) farm for a week to get over the run, and that’s kept him pretty fresh,” Thompson said.
“I think he’s held form maybe a bit better this time around.”
Astronomos last raced in the Group Three Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Randwick on April 15 and before that fourth placing he had either 19 or 21 days between races.
Thompson took over training Astronomos from David Vandyke when the latter moved to Queensland midway through last year.
Rated third favourite ($5.50) with the TAB for the 2000-metre feature behind the Joe Pride-trained New Tipperary ($4) and Godolphin’s Allergic ($4.80).
Thompson’s only concern is the good surface on offer as Rosehill hosts its first meeting for six weeks.
“I’d have liked the track a little bit softer but he’s going as good as he can go, he’s drawn well ( 4), he should get a good run from there.”
Thompson also has six-year-old Danjeu ($61) among the 14-strong field after he scratched him from Friday’s Wagga Wagga Gold Cup. The trainer is aiming him at the Listed McKell Cup (2400m) at Randwick on May 27.
“He’s a 2400-metre horse and over 2000 second-up, he’s an each way chance,” Thompson said.
“It was probably a bit silly to take him all the way to Wagga when he’s probably going to be best next time around.
“He’s going well, he pulled out to run well at Randwick the other day and sprung a front plate up the straight so he sort of didn’t come on. He’ll improve with that run under his belt.”
