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Astoria proves too good in Spring Stakes

Darryl Sherer - Friday September 15

Astoria came from last to win Friday's Group III Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.

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Astoria proved too good in the Spring Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

Tye Angland was content to race in last place as Runaway and Dissolution led to the turn but was only six lengths off them as the field swung for home.

Astoria ($4.20) peeled wide then let down with a strong finish to strike the front inside the final 200m and prove three-quarters of a length too good for the $2.50 favourite Merovee with the maiden Primitivo ($17) a short half head away in third.

Angland told Sky Racing he feels there is still further improvement in the James Cummings-trained son of Medaglia d'Oro.

"It was a little bit tactical early and I wanted to be a pair or two closer but I drew outside Kerrin (McEvoy, Hypnotist) and he got caught three wide," Angland said on Sky Racing.

"I came back and got on the back of Hughie (Bowman) on the favourite (Merovee) and followed him the whole way."

Astoria was racing for the fifth time and Angland said the Godolphin-owned colt is still learning his craft.

"When I went for him he let down nice but when he got to the front he's still a bit green," Angland told Sky Racing.

"He's got improvement still to give which is good as he's winning well and beating nice horses so when he improves that bit more he's going to be hard to beat."

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