A recent operation is being looked upon as the catalyst to prolong the racing career of The Astrologist.
The rising nine-year-old will line up for start number 52 when he runs in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained gelding underwent a throat operation at the end of his last campaign after finishing midfield at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Troy Corstens said The Astrologist was now breathing the best he ever has.
“He would trot, and canter and he would make a noise, so we have given him throat surgery, and his breathing is the best it has ever been,” Corstens said.
“But with that he picks up viruses here and there.
“We’ve had a few problems with him with sickness, and that sort of stuff, so we’ve had to nurse him through it.
“However, he had won almost $3 million with a breathing issue all his life, but it was getting progressively worse.
“So, we thought we may as well try it as if we retired him, he would sit in a paddock for 20 years and we would never know.
“Nathan (Bennett) was good enough and the owners to give it a crack, so we’ll see how it goes.
“He’s an older horse now but he’s an absolute pleasure to have around the stable and he’s done a terrific job for us.”
In 2023 The Astrologist took connections on an overseas adventure running second at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night before travelling to the UK where he ran at the Royal Ascot meeting.
However, The Astrologist has been winless since scoring over 1400m at Ascot in December 22.
Corstens said The Astrologist may again be looking for that trip after being run off his feet in a jump-out at Flemington on May 9.
“It was a very fast trial, and he’s just looking like he wants a bit of ground now,” Corstens said.
“It will be interesting to see if the 1200 metres will be a little bit too short for him.
“He’s never at his best first-up, he always races better as he gets into his preparation, but he’s very sound, he can breathe, and I’m really interested to see what he can do.”
The Corstens – Larkin team will also be represented by Marble Nine is Saturday’s sprint up the Flemington straight.
Marble Nine scored at Bendigo on April 12 before running fourth in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool on April 30.
Corstens said Marble Nine had not been suited by the heavy downpour prior to that contest.
“He’s a funny horse,” Corstens said.
“He loves soft ground but when the rain came before the race, he didn’t like that, so hopefully it should be perfect for him on Saturday.”
