Kenton Wright Race Images
Highly-regarded filly Astor returns to racing on Thursday at Hastings where a sterner test awaits her in the new season.
The Iffraaj youngster finished third on debut in the spring and, following an enforced break, she will be back in action in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race.
“She suffered a stress fracture of her tibia, which was very unfortunate but at least it wasn’t career-threatening,” trainer Danica Guy said.
“We had bought her in the hope of getting to the Karaka Million, but when that went off the table we just gave her plenty of time.
“She’s a lovely filly, real quality, and she is looking and feeling very well now.”
Guy is keen for Astor to advance her record with a return visit to Hawke’s Bay in mind for the spring.
“Hopefully she gets a jump start as I’d love to get her to the Gold Trail Stakes,” she said. “That’s her first major target and then we’ll take it from there.”
Guy also has Harlem set to make the first appearance of his career in the Carfields Livestock HB 1200.
“I didn’t want to run him first-up on a heavy track, but he’s in early so hopefully we get away with it,” she said. “He’s a lovely horse.”
A half-brother by Cape Blanco to the multiple Group Two winner and Group One placegetter Ginga Dude, Harlem won his only trial at Te Teko earlier this month. – NZ Racing Desk.