B.J. McLachlan Stakes Tips - Astrologer written in the stars?

Chris Waller's Shaquero is the early favourite for the race after taking out the Breeders Plate in Sydney, while Alpine Edge leads the local Queensland contingent.

Odds thanks to Sportsbet

Shaquero led all the way on debut in the Group 3 Breeders Plate at Randwick and looks perfectly drawn to take up the lead under Luke Dittman from barrier one. Alpine Edge and Ghostwriter have both shown tactical speed in the past and will look to be handy from wider draws. Suspect Alpine Edge may be the one to take a sit.

Baby Wong was slowly away last start at Eagle Farm and will look to sit handy behind the leaders, while Logomania also sat handy in his trial. Peter and Paul Snowden's colt Astrologer has had little luck so far in his career, but doubt he will be revved up from barrier three with the blinkers on for the first time.

Nothing has gone to plan so far in the career of Astrologer but all signs point to a massive run on Saturday. Following in the footsteps of stablemate and fellow James Harron owned colt King's Legacy who took out this race last year, there is a strong push of intent leading into Saturday's event.

With the key booking of Queensland's leading rider Ryan Maloney, the application of blinkers and lugging bit for the first time are major gear changes for the colt by Star Turn.

After being caught in the ruck on debut behind Shaquero in the Breeders Plate, Astrologer never saw daylight until the concluding stages of the race, powering home into third. Suffering very similar traffic issues at Wyong last start, he was travelling strongly behind heels but never saw daylight once again.

Drawn barrier three on Saturday, expect Maloney to allow Astrologer to work into the race at his own leisure and with the blinkers applied for the first time, will be very hard to beat over 1200m.