Astern’s reputation as one of the hottest young sires in Australia was highlighted again when his smart three-year-old Aft Cabin overcame difficulties to win the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint over 1,200m on Saturday, 8 April at Royal Randwick.
In posting the 15th Black-Type race win for the progeny of Astern, Aft Cabin resurrected his own reputation after finishing unplaced in the G1 Randwick Guineas last month.
Godolphin Australia head trainer James Cummings freshened the colt, but his task to drop back from 1,600m looked impossible after Aft Cabin (James McDonald) missed the start and was hampered when trying to obtain clear galloping room.
Out of the Australian mare Shelters, who is also the dam of Stakes-race winners Veranillo and Multijar - both by Medaglia d’Oro, Aft Cabin still had the ability to surge down the centre of the track to beat Wee Nessy and Lady Laguna running away.
The victory was Aft Cabin’s third at Stakes level and lifted the Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner’s prize money and trophies earnings to $1,112,800.
Cummings said there was still time to inoculate Aft Cabin for England but the trip would not be confirmed until the round-table agreement with Godolphin Australia management.
Astern, who won the G1 Golden Rose, has sired 120 winners of 203 races, including eight individual Stakes winners.
The stallion is the sire of G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile and Stakes winners Seradess, Parisal, Danger Strikes, Chase The Chaos and Oxymore.
An Astern filly out of Zimaretto sold for $260,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney last week.
A HUGE performance from Aft Cabin who lifts to take out the Group 2 @ArrowfieldStud 3YO Sprint in style!@JamesCummings88 @mcacajamez pic.twitter.com/37ZMKH2SSs
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 8, 2023
