Co-trainer Troy Corstens has an itch with The Astrologist that he wants to scratch by tackling another international foray in the New Year.
The Astrologist will race on Australian soil for the first time since March when he lines up in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Tuesday.
Since running sixth in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington in March, The Astrologist finished second in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan two weeks later before a three-run campaign in the UK, culminating in running fifth at Royal Ascot in June.
“Ideally, I’d love to get another invite back to Dubai for the Al Quoz as there is an itch there that needs to be scratched,” Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon, said.
The Astrologist returned to Australia in August and Corstens said it took a while for the gelding to reacclimatise to his former home.
“He arrived home and then he grew a winter coat as he didn’t know what the hell was going on,” Corstens said.
“That’s still coming out now, so he’s got really good improvement to come in the coat, but fitness wise he’s very good.
“But he is the type of horse that will take two or three runs to really hit his straps.
“He takes time to come right but once you get him to that certain level, he holds that for as long as you need him to stay up.”
Corstens said Tuesday’s race followed by the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 13 would determine The Astrologist’s path.
The trainer said by running second last year in Dubai he hoped would grant The Astrologist a return trip, but first the gelding needs to find his best form.
“If we got that (invite), that would be massive,” Corstens said.
“How we get there and what we do after the Standish, we’ll just take it as it comes.
“He’s been a great horse for the owners. He’s pocketed some good prize money and taken them on a world tour.”
Corstens has ruled out a return trip to the UK for Royal Ascot but said if a Dubai invite did eventuate then a trip home via Hong Kong for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April could be on the cards.