The Astrologist is set to resume in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday, with hopes high that recent throat surgery will help extend the career of the rising nine-year-old.

Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens in partnership with Will Larkin, The Astrologist will be making his 52nd career start after undergoing the procedure following his last run during the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year.

Troy Corstens is optimistic about the horse’s breathing and overall condition heading into the new preparation.

“He would trot, and canter and he would make a noise, so we have given him throat surgery, and his breathing is the best it has ever been,” Corstens said.

“But with that he picks up viruses here and there.

“We’ve had a few problems with him with sickness, and that sort of stuff, so we’ve had to nurse him through it.

“However, he had won almost $3 million with a breathing issue all his life, but it was getting progressively worse.

“So, we thought we may as well try it as if we retired him, he would sit in a paddock for 20 years and we would never know.

“Nathan (Bennett) was good enough and the owners to give it a crack, so we’ll see how it goes.

“He’s an older horse now but he’s an absolute pleasure to have around the stable and he’s done a terrific job for us.”

Although The Astrologist hasn’t won since December 2022 in Perth, he gave connections a memorable 2023 with a second placing at Meydan and a trip to Royal Ascot.

Following a fast jump-out at Flemington on May 9, Corstens suspects the gelding may now be looking for more ground.

“It was a very fast trial, and he’s just looking like he wants a bit of ground now,” Corstens said.

“It will be interesting to see if the 1200 metres will be a little bit too short for him.

“He’s never at his best first-up, he always races better as he gets into his preparation, but he’s very sound, he can breathe, and I’m really interested to see what he can do.”

Stablemate Marble Nine also steps out on Saturday, coming off a Bendigo win and a fourth-place finish in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m).

“He’s a funny horse,” Corstens said.

“He loves soft ground but when the rain came before the race, he didn’t like that, so hopefully it should be perfect for him on Saturday.”

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