Astra Star chasing Guineas bonus in Townsville

By Glenn Davis

Talented sprinter Astra Star may have missed out on a chance for a clean sweep of Guineas victories but a hefty bonus for connections is available if the gelding claims Saturday’s Townsville Guineas at Cluden Park.

A $25,000 voucher for the Magic Millions sales is on offer to any QTIS registered horse than wins two of the four Guineas races in Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville or Cairns.

Astra Star was an unlucky fourth in the Capricorn Guineas in Rockhampton last month before making amends with strong win in the Whitsunday Guineas at Mackay on July 26.

Part-owner Graeme Green, of Master Jamie fame, bought Astra Star for $90,000 as a yearling at the Magic Millions sales and passed him on to Rockhampton’s Kris Hansen to train when he retired.

However, Green has got the bug back to train after moving from his long-time base at Rockhampton to Emerald.

“I can’t go from working for 45 years to doing nothing, so I’ve decided to get back into training,” Green said.

“I recently bought a horse online, but he turned out to be a barrier rogue after I took him to Bluff when he was scratched at the barrier.

“I’ve bred one of my own, which is out of Taraki, who won nine races for me, and she’ll kick off in the early two-year-old races later this year.

“It’s only going to be a hobby for me as my wife and I still plan to do some travelling.”

Green has always had a big opinion of Astra Star who has won more than $246,000 in prizemoney from five wins and nine placings in 18 starts.

“I’ve said for a long time that Astra Star was a good horse,” Green said.

“If he wins the Townsville or Cairns Guineas, he collects a $25,000 voucher which comes off any QTIS purchase we get at the Magic Millions sales next year."

Green believes Astra Star - an Adin Thompson mount - will have no trouble running a strong middle distance later on and expects him to be hard to beat in the Townsville Guineas over 1609 metres.

“He’s going to make a very strong middle-distance type and Cup horse next year and I’ve got no doubt he’ll run 2000 metres,” he said.

“His Mackay Guineas win was very good after being challenged strongly.

“I couldn’t make the trip to Mackay to watch him last time and I had planned to go to Townsville, but I can’t go as I’ve got a couple of minor health issues to sort out.”