In-form galloper The Astrologist won’t be seen in Melbourne again this year with trainer Troy Corstens deciding he will have two runs at the Gold Coast.
Corstens had the last-start Pakenham Gold Bullion winner nominated for two races at Flemington on Saturday but said the horse would not be lining up.
The Astrologist’s main mission is the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 16.
Corstens and his co-trainer and father Leon decided that The Astrologist would benefit from having a run at the Gold Coast circuit and he will head to the $250,000 Magic Millions Rising Stars over 1300m for three and four-year-olds seven days earlier.
“The Astrologist has been galloping the reverse way at Geelong since his Pakenham win. He has taken to the other way of going extremely well,” Corstens said.
In a change of tactics, jockey Craig Williams decided to lead on The Astrologist last start and Corstens said he was suited by that style of riding.
The Astrologist, who has had four starts for Team Corstens for two wins and two unlucky seconds, is due to fly to the Gold Coast on December 29.
Another in-form galloper from the stable, Titan Blinders, will be in action at Flemington on Saturday in the 1400 metre benchmark 84 race.
Corstens said the five-year-old was racing in career-best form with wins at his past two starts, scoring in the Ararat Bowl over 1300 metres and in a benchmark 84 event over 1400 metres at Ballarat.
The stable is hoping to capitalise on his from surge over the summer.
“We don’t really have any target with him other than just trying to pick off the very good prize money on offer in town on a Saturday,” Corstens said.
Corstens said Titan Blinders had trialled in great style at Flemington since his last appearance.
“Titan Blinders has been up at the farm since his last win and he hasn’t gone backwards at all. If we draw well he will run a great race,” Corstens said.
