Godolphin's Golden Rose winner couldn't get the job done last year but the blue army is back with another winner of the Sydney three-year-old feature in Saturday's Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Exosphere started as a $1.60 chance but could only finish fourth to Japonisme in last year's Coolmore Stud Stakes but Astern is a $3.70 second pick in the 2016 edition of the $500,000 event.
Like Exosphere, Astern won the Group III Run To The Rose first-up before claiming the Golden Rose second-up.
The only difference in the pair's form is Exosphere won the Roman Consul Stakes while Astern went down narrowly to fellow Coolmore Stud Stakes runner Russian Revolution in his Roman Consul Stakes.
Astern ran in the Roman Consul Stakes after having treatment for an elevated temperature that forced Godolphin to shelve plans to run him in the Caulfield Guineas.
However, Astern has pleased trainer John O'Shea with his progress since arriving in Melbourne in a preparation that included a look at the Flemington straight in a jumpout last Friday.
Astern has also drawn barrier eight, for the Coolmore Stud Stakes, which has only increased O'Shea's confidence.
"I think he's drawn beautifully in barrier eight," O'Shea said.
"There's plenty of speed around him, he should get good cover straight away.
"He's trialled beautifully down the straight, settled in well in Melbourne and I'm really bullish about his chances."
O'Shea will also run last Saturday's Moonee Valley winner Archives in the race after the colt pleased him with his recovery from a hard-fought win in Group III company.
"He's fresh and well from his win the other day and he's shown that he can be very effective down the straight," O'Shea said.
James McDonald stays with Astern while Craig Williams has the ride on Archives.
