Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Nathan Bennett – managing director of syndication company Bennett Racing - claims the large ownership group of The Astrologist will be screaming their lungs out if the dual Group 3-winning son of Zoustar is in front nearing the winning post in Saturday’s US$1.5 million (AU$2.25 million) G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200 metres) at Meydan.
And if the 6-year-old is first past the post, Bennett says it will be pandemonium.
“He’s got about 60 owners and there’s 39 of us over here (in Dubai), including some from Australia, UK and Dubai,” Bennett told TDN AusNZ.
“It’s good for us to be able to come together and we’re all looking forward to a really good weekend.
“They’ll certainly know we’re here.
“They’ll certainly know we’re (The Astrologist’s owners) here.” - Nathan Bennett
“I reckon he will be in front at the 150-metre mark, it’s just a matter of whether they chase him down or not.”
Bred by Rangal Park Stud, The Astrologist is from the winless Flying Spur mare Aquada, with his grandam being the Group 2 scorer Freestyle (Snippets).
He was consigned by Goodwood Farm as Lot 508 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Bennett Racing and McEvoy Mitchell Racing paid $150,000 for him.
Nathan Bennett, Rick Wells and Phil Wells | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
After starting his career with Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the gelding was transferred to Leon and Troy Corstens.
The Astrologist has taken his owners on one hell of a great ride, winning eight of his 35 starts, including two Group 3s and the $1.5 million TAB Gold Rush. He has also contested nine Group 1 events, finishing in the minor placings on two occasions, amassing earnings of $2.1 million.
“He loves being in work and loves his routine. He doesn’t like it when you change his routine,” Bennett explained.
“He’s given us plenty of great moments and hopefully there’s more to come.”
“He’s (The Astrologist) given us plenty of great moments and hopefully there’s more to come.” - Nathan Bennett
Bennett said The Astrologist has had no trouble acclimatising to life in the middle east and his final tune up for his big test was excellent.
“He’s settled in super and his work on Tuesday morning was really good, it was top-notch work, probably his best work of the prep. He enjoyed going down the straight and the team is really happy with him,” Bennett remarked.
“He’s drawn barrier six, which isn’t too bad. They say you don’t really want to be on the rail, you want to be on the grandstand side, so I think barrier six gives him a chance to be out there because I think he’ll be in the first half of the field. Hopefully, (jockey) Damian (Lane) can get him across, at least into the middle.
“He’s ticked all the boxes and is ready to rock and roll; hopefully he can have a peak run.”
The Astrologist will be looking to join Buffering (Mossman) and Ortensia (Testa Rossa) as Australian winners of the Al Quoz Sprint. The Robert Heathcote-trained Buffering got the job done in 2016, four years after Paul Messara’s Ortensia upstaged her rivals.
Australia also provided the 2014 winner, the Hong Kong raider Amber Sky (Exceed And Excel).
“It would be fantastic if we could get his name alongside those horses and fly the Aussie flag for everyone back home. It would be a huge thrill for everyone involved in The Astrologist, so fingers crossed he gets a bit of luck and it goes our way,” said Bennett.
Two hopes are better than one
The Astrologist won’t be the only galloper to represent Bennett Racing at Meydan on Saturday, with imported stayer Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) to contest the G2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200 metres).
The G2 Italian Derby hero, who is trained by Marco Botti, was purchased privately by Bennett Racing in mid-2022, having been sourced by Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman.
Ardakan (GB) | Image courtesy of Marco Botti Racing
The 4-year-old is out of the Listed victress Alaskakonigin (Ger) (Sternkoenig {Ire}) and is a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Alaskasonne (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}).
Ardakan, who will also be ridden by Lane, has placed third and second respectively in two prep runs ahead of Saturday’s US$1 (AU$1.5 million) million event.
“It’s pretty crazy having one runner, so to have two is amazing and I’m still shaking my head a little bit. It hasn’t hit home yet, but I’m sure it will on Saturday night when we’re all dressed up and ready to go,” Bennett said.
“It’s pretty crazy having one runner, so to have two is amazing and I’m still shaking my head a little bit. It hasn’t hit home yet, but I’m sure it will on Saturday night when we’re all dressed up and ready to go.” - Nathan Bennett
“It’s very exciting.
“Ardakan should run well.
“Our plan is to get him out to Australia later in the year for the Cups and have a crack at them with him.
“He’s only had 10 starts and is a pretty promising stayer in the making, I think.”
