Former Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Asterix returned to top form and scored his first Australian victory in the A$300,000 NZB The Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding showed signs that he might be finding form with a close last-start fifth in the A$500,000 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick on October 18, and his stamina and class were on full display on Saturday as he outstayed his 11 rivals in the hands of jockey Jason Collett.
“I thought his run was great the other day in the St Leger,” Collett said.
“It was just a slow-run race. He led the start before that and it didn't work one bit, so last start we tried to make sure he did things right, which he did, and he found the line great.
“His trial was good leading into this and when I had the gate today, I was able to use it and put him in a close enough spot which gave us our chance.
“He's won a New Zealand Derby. He's got the credentials there and this will no doubt build confidence.”
Waller was represented at Newcastle by Zane Jones.
“He was a good horse in New Zealand before coming to Australia,” he said. “We never lost faith in the horse, it was just a matter of turning up, getting things to go his way and today it did.”
Asterix was bred by Sir Owen Glenn's Go Bloodstock and is by Tavistock out of the Shirocco mare Mourasana.
Curraghmore offered Asterix at the 2020 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where Bruce Perry Bloodstock bought him for $450,000.
Asterix began his career in the Matamata stable of Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, for whom he won four of his 14 starts including the 2022 New Zealand Derby and the 2024 edition of the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m).
Asterix has now had a total of 23 starts for five wins, a placing and A$923,671 in stakes. – NZ Racing Desk.
