Zoustar Sprinter Wins G3 Aurie’s Star

Consistent five year-old gelding The Astrologist finished last season as the final stakes-winner of 2020/2021 for Zoustar and he is now the first of the new season for his sire after taking out the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, The Astrologist has been in sensational form this preparation and scored a length win in the feature sprint under Damien Thornton.

His overall record now stands at seven wins and six placings from 19 starts with prizemoney topping $716,000.

“Another terrific effort from the horse. He hasn’t put a foot wrong this preparation, he’s absolutely flying at the moment,” said stable representative Dom Sutton.

“He’s just a lovely animal to train, he’s straight forward – he eats and he works. Just a credit to the horse and also the team at home, they’ve done a terrific job with him.”

The Astrologist will look to up the ante in the spring with a Group I goal on the horizon.

“The plan is to get him to the Rupert Clarke(September 18, G1 at Caulfield),” said Sutton.

“He’s a winner at 1400m already so we’ll map out a plan in the next few days I’d say.”

A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Goodwood Farm draft for Bennett Racing/McEvoy Mitchell Racing P/L, The Astrologist started his career with Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

Bred by Rangal Park Stud in Victoria, The Astrologist is the best of three winners from Aquada, a placed Flying Spur daughter of stakes-winner Freestyle.

The Astrologist is the first stakes-winner of the new season for Zoustar, who stands at a fee of $154,000 this spring.

He had a double at Flemington on Saturday with promising three year-old Sunfall saluting for the Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr stable earlier in the day.

Entered for the Caulfield Guineas, Sunfall has turned a corner since being gelded and has won over $172,000 in prizemoney.