Chilean import gets stamina test in Astra Stakes at Santa Anita

As the 5-2 morning-line favorite in Saturday’s $100,000 Astra Stakes, Australia Mia makes her U.S. bow with high expectations for owner-breeder Don Alberto Stable in the 1 1/2-mile turf marathon.

A Kentucky-bred daughter of Street Sense, Australia Mia raced exclusively in Chile before arriving at trainer’s Michael McCarthy’s Santa Anita barn in October. While in Chile, Australia Mia racked up nine wins in 19 starts, all on turf, including a pair of Group 2s at distances ranging up to 1 1/4 miles. The 5-year-old mare surfaces in the Astra after working five times at Santa Anita since Dec. 10.

“She’s been here quite some time and has settled in nicely with a steady series of works,” McCarthy said Friday morning.

For the Astra, Australia Mia has lured the services of top international jockey Frankie Dettori. They will break from post five in a nine-horse field. The Astra will be Australia Mia’s first start since last June, a runner-up effort in a Group 3 going 1 1/4 miles at Club Hipico.

While a multiple winner at the 10-furlong distance, McCarthy acknowledged the extra quarter mile of the Astra remains a question mark. However, he noted the time was right to get Australia Mia’s U.S. campaign started.

“We didn’t really find anything that fit on the calendar. We thought a mile might be a little too sharp for her,” McCarthy said. “We’ll get started here and if it is a tick too far, we’ll cut her back to a mile-and-an-eighth type thing.”

The Astra goes as the eighth race on Saturday’s 10 race card with an approximate post time of 3:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. EST).

2023 Astra Stakes LS