But first on the agenda for the classy three-year-old colt is a rematch with Golden Slipper winner Capitalist in Saturday's group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Astern was found to have an elevated temperature last Sunday, eight days after his Golden Rose win. It meant trainer John O'Shea had to abandon plans to run in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on the weekend, and change the spring road map for his star sprinter.

Jockey James McDonald will partner Astern at Randwick before heading down to Flemington for Sunday's Turnbull Stakes day.

"He'll be in the Coolmore now, it was the Caulfield Guineas but he got that little temperature and it just put him back a bit," McDonald said.

"He's very good, an exceptional galloper. He's got everything, he's a rock star you know and he knows it too.

"He's in good form at home, he's bouncing around so there are no signs of him fatiguing at this point in time. I can't wait for him to have a clash with Capitalist.

"Capitalist has got the form on the board as a two-year-old. They've met once and Capitalist has got his measure.

"As you know, three-year-olds they can change a bit and our fella's definitely improved. It's whether Capitalist has come up to his level."

The Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington was also being considered as an option for Astern.

Peter and Paul Snowden's Capitalist was far too good for Astern in this year's Golden Slipper, finishing more than seven lengths clear of O'Shea's star three-year-old.

But Astern looks to have come back the better three-year-old and has won three races in a row, his Run to the Rose and Golden Rose successes this campaign following on from his Kindergarten Stakes triumph in the autumn.

Capitalist has managed three trial wins since resuming this preparation, either side of a disappointing fourth in the group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100) last month.

McDonald is aiming to secure a group 1 treble this weekend aboard Hauraki in the Epsom Handicap (1600m), Magic Hurricane in the Metropolitan (2400m) and then the classy Hartnell in Sunday's Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

Hartnell will start a hot favourite in the Turnbull, and a win in that race could put him directly on a Cox Plate (2040m) collision course with Winx.

"I'm not too sure what the plan is there, I suppose leave it up to the bosses there and they'll assess after the Turnbull," McDonald said.

"He's the pin-up boy in Sydney apart from Winx."