Trainer Matt Smith has warned punters to disregard Astero’s last start failure, declaring the gelding only needs to reproduce his Civic Stakes performance to be hard to beat at Rosehill.
Astero was an eye-catching third to Headley Grange at Listed level in June before enduring a tough run when down the track in the Winter Stakes.
He has since been given a freshen-up and a barrier trial and Smith is expecting him to bounce back in Saturday’s NSW Jockeys Association Handicap (1300m).
“He was on the speed all the way last start and they went hard so he didn’t finish off after a tough run,” Smith said.
“His run before that was excellent and if he could find that form he’d be right in the race on Saturday.
“He looks outstanding. He went up to the farm for a couple of weeks between runs and he has freshened up beautifully.”
Not only does Astero boast some strong form lines, he is also a wet track specialist with three wins and as many placings from 10 starts on heavy ground.
He has consistently performed well over Saturday’s course and distance and has been the subject of some early specking from $51 into $23.
The eight-year-old will be Smith’s only runner at Rosehill but stable star Headwall is keeping the trainer busy off the track as he prepares for a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Friday.
The emerging sprinter had an outstanding autumn carnival, placing in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and Smith is hopeful he can return at a similar level and stake his claims for an Everest slot.
“He is trialling next Friday and he’s going super,” Smith said.
“He will probably go to the Concorde Stakes and Shorts and then we’ll see where we’re up to after that.”
The Concorde Stakes (1000m) is at Randwick on September 6 with The Shorts (1100m) two weeks later.
