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The Astrologist won the All Victorian Sprint Series

Widden Stud’s Zoustar (Northern Meteor) sired his 23rd stakes winner and 12th for the season when The Astrologist (4 g ex Aquada by Flying Spur) won the All Victorian Sprint Series (Listed, 1200m) at Flemington on Saturday and co-trainer Troy Corstens has credited a trip to Queensland as being instrumental in The Astrologist registering his first black type success.

Following his victory at Flemington on June 19, The Astrologist followed up with an all-the-way win in Saturday’s All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) on Saturday. 

Ridden by Damien Thornton, The Astrologist, a $4.40 equal favourite, scored a half-length from Banquo (Written Tycoon) with William Thomas (Nicconi) three-quarters-of-a-length away third. 

Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon, said The Astrologist had returned from Queensland in excellent order. 

After travelling to Queensland for the summer, The Astrologist had a two-run early winter campaign in Brisbane, finishing just behind the placegetters in stakes company. 

"Clearly he had some good runs up there and it got him very fit," Corstens said. 

"I think coming back, dropping him back in grade, it was just a good plan that really came off. 

"I think it was fantastic (for the horse) spending time in Queensland during the winter, that's for sure. 

"He's such a tough and honest character and that's all you can ask in a racehorse, two very good attributes to have. 

"He looks like a drunken sailor coming down the straight but he just keeps going. 

"He doesn't know how to stop and sprint but he just keeps going that one pace and it gets the rest off the bridle." 

Thornton said he had learnt from riding The Astrologist in his victory at Flemington over 1100 metres at his last start. 

"I was a bit steadier on him last time over 1100 (metres) and he just kept building," Thornton said. 

"I thought I'll do that and start at the half-mile this time. I learnt from my first ride how tough he is and he was great."

The Astrologist  was purchased by Bennett Racing / McEvoy Mitchell Racing for $150,000 from the draft of Goodwood Farm at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the first stakes winner for his dam Aquada (Flying Spur) who in turn is a daughter of the Group Two winner Freestyle (Snippets). Aquada has done a good job at stud producing two metropolitan winners in Turn The Tide (So You Think) and Spirit Of Aquada (Bel Esprit). 

Zoustar is currently equal second on the leading sires of Australia by stakes winner two behind Fastnet Rock (Danehill) who has sired 14. He will stand for $154,000 (inc GST) this season.