Astern given quiet time in trial hit-out

Godolphin colt Astern has finished fifth in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm.

Group One-winning Godolphin colt Astern has finished sixth under a tight hold in barrier trial, as a number of autumn carnival contenders stepped out at Warwick Farm.

The Golden Rose winner was not asked for an effort by jockey James Doyle as he cruised to a midfield finish in a 1000m-heat on Monday morning.

“He travelled through the trial very well, quickened towards the end and hit the line quite well,” Doyle said.

“He was nice and relaxed and moving great.”

The Chris Waller-trained Sezanne won the trial, days after being promoted to second in last year’s Flight stakes following the disqualification of Yankee Rose over a positive to banned substance Ketorolac.

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Fellow Group One-placed stablemates French Emotion and Antonio Guiseppe were second and fourth respectively.

Caulfield Guineas winner Divine Prophet finished third, with the Hawkes Racing-trained colt doing his best work late while Godolphin’s 2015 Metropolitan Handicap winner Magic Hurricane also closed off strongly to run fifth.

Meanwhile, the Bryce Heys-trained four-year-old Spieth, who was runner-up in the Group One Darley Classic at Flemington in November, was strong to the line in his 797m-heat and finished third.

Denmagic was fifth in that trial, her first public appearance since adding a Group One placing to her record in November’s Myer Classic at Flemington.

Honesty Prevails put more than 10 lengths on the field in her 1000m heat, with the Rick Worthington-trained stakes-winning filly sending a clear message she is over the injury which prematurely ended her spring.

Waller-trained Group Three winner Veladero finished second in that heat, crossing the line a length in front of his Group One-winning stablemate Preferment.