Astern, Palentino Score in Australia Races

In Australia's biggest races Sept. 10, Astern (AUS) secured the first group I win of his career in the Golden Rose Stakes (Aus-I) at Rosehill while Palentino (AUS) upset stablemate Black Heart Bart in the Makybe Diva Stakes (Aus-I) at Flemington.

Godolphin's Astern, a handsome 3-year-old son of successful Kentucky-based sire Medaglia d'Oro, won Sydney's first Spring feature in a breathtaking victory over 1,400m (about seven furlongs) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jumping from an outside alley, jockey James McDonald elected to settle toward the back of the field in what appeared to be a challenging position. Astern loomed the widest runner as they turned for home, and unleashed an electrifying turn of foot to triumph by more than two lengths while securing a third straight group stakes win.

Godolphin stablemate and son of Lonhro Impending finished third behind runner-up Omei Sword. The winner completed the 1,400-meter race in 1:23.91 on a track listed as good.

Astern was bred by Darley and is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Essaouira, who has had three winners from as many runners. He is a half brother to the exciting Lonhro colt Mogador. This is the family of champion 3-year-old filly Triscay, a five-time group I winner in Australia.

Astern became the fifteenth individual grade I/group I winner for Medaglia d'Oro with his victory.

At Flemington, 4-year-old Palentino led home a one-two finish for champion Australian trainer Darren Weir, edging big favorite and two-time group I winner Black Heart Bart. It was another two lengths back to He Or She.

Owned by a large partnership, Palentino secured a one-length victory over Black Heart Bart, completing the 1,600-meter (about a mile) race in 1:36.26 on soft turf. The Australian-bred son of Teofilo secured the second group I score of his career—both at Flemington—after taking the Australian Guineas March 5.