Astern Records Ninth Australian Winner

It is rare for the Waterhouse/Bott stable to have a runner at long odds, but Tuesday's victory by the 40/1 shot Sealion (Astern-Element Of Danger, by Red Ransom) had both the stable and those who backed the 2YO gelding, cheering loudly. Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale-purchased graduate was making his debut off the back of two very pleasing barrier trials, once again highlighting the surprise in his starting price. From an impressive pedigree, the Tony Bott and Larry Nestadt bred Sealion is out of a sister to Horse of the Year and multiple Gr1 winner Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom), who is in turn a daughter of South African Champion 2YO Tracy's Element (Last Tycoon). A winner of five of his nine career starts including the Gr1 Golden Rose at 3, Darley stallion Astern (Medaglia d'Oro) has hit the ground running with his first crop, siring nine individual Australian winners including the five-length winner Listed winner Seradess, while in New Zealand he has 100% winners to runners, with his lone starter being the Listed winner Danger Strykes.

Leading 3YO Astern (pic: Steve Hart)