Asterix (NZ) a Millionaire After JRA Plate Success

The 2022 Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) took his career earnings past A$1m with a big finish to take out the A$250,000 Group Three Myplates JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Bought by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $450,000 from Curraghmore’s draft at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale, Asterix has now had 25 starts for six wins, two placings and A$1.1m in prize-money.

Asterix was a strong winner of the Derby at Ellerslie four years ago, in which the runner-up was the subsequent multiple Group One winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos). He added the Group Two Avondale Cup (2400m) two seasons later but then struggled to find his best form after joining the Chris Waller stable in Australia.

However, his connections kept the faith and remained patient, and they were rewarded last spring with a resurgent campaign that included a win in the A$300,000 The Beauford (2300m), a second in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) and a fifth in the A$500,000 Group Three St Leger (2600m).

Saturday’s JRA Plate was the seven-year-old’s first start since his Christmas Cup placing on December 13, and an outstanding first-up performance showed he was ready to pick up where he left off last time in.

Asterix was ridden patiently by Jason Collett in the back half of the field, then unleashed a powerful finish in the straight and swept to victory by half a length.

“That played out really well for me,” Collett said. “His trials were really good coming into it, and he had some freshness in his legs.

“Starting off over 2000 metres may have been a question mark, but Chris said ‘be kind to him’ and we got a very kind run. Off a moderate tempo, we only had to get out late and sprint, and he did that.

“I was pretty happy with that win. I think he’ll be in for a pretty good winter campaign.”

Waller was also more than satisfied with Asterix’s raceday return.

“It's just taken a while to find his legs in Australia, but he's certainly racing honestly now, and that was a good win,” he said.

“That’s exactly what we wanted to see. I think there’s a Gosford Cup (2100m) in about three weeks. We’ll have a look at that first, it’s good prize-money here in Sydney, and then probably up to Queensland.”

Vendor	Curraghmore
Purchaser	Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (Wellington)
Breeding	Tavistock – Mourasana
Sale	Lot 305, 2020 Ready to Run Sale, $450,000
Breeder	Go Bloodstock New Zealand Ltd
Owner	Mr D A J Kelt, Mr M J Greatbatch, Mr A J Scott, Mrs L J Scott, Mr J P Hunter