Just three days after Golden Slipper betting opened, Godolphin colt Astern has been swiftly promoted from 100-1 to second favourite after his debut win at Randwick.

And his trainer John O'Shea has no doubts he is the organisation's top chance for the $3.5 million Slipper in March.

"If we are going to win a big race, this is the colt to do it," O'Shea said.

Although O'Shea has always had a high opinion of Astern, punters were seduced by Regimental Force's nine-length barrier trial win and sent him out the odds-on favourite.

But Astern ($3.50) always had his measure and strode to a 2-1/2 length win over Niccolance ($7) who cost himself by veering to the outside fence with Regimental Force ($1.65) another 3-3/4 lengths third.

"He got the job done," O'Shea said.

"He's going to have a little break and come back in the autumn.

"We'll just go the conventional path with the Silver Slipper and Todman."

While O'Shea has a clear plan for Astern, the way ahead is less defined for the runner-up, a recent arrival at Jim and Greg Lee's stable.

After having a disqualification for cobalt overturned, trainer Kevin Moses lost again when stewards successfully appealed to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal on Wednesday.

Niccolance was subsequently dispatched to the nearby Lee yard.

"I didn't even know what colour he was until Friday," Greg Lee told stewards who inquired into the colt's behaviour.

"He looked as if he may have hurt himself when he jumped and whether he was feeling that we don't know.

"We'll get him checked out over the next couple of days."

Whatever the outcome, Niccolance will have to run in a barrier trial before he races again.