Group 1 winner Asterix back to winning ways in Avondale Cup
Talented stayer Asterix returned to the scene of his greatest triumph when he stormed home to take out the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie.
The injury-plagued son of Tavistock took out the 2022 edition of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) but a string issues had hampered his progress since then.
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and his ownership group, that includes former New Zealand cricketer Mark Greatbatch, have shown infinite patience with the now five-year-old and he repaid that faith on Saturday with a powerful staying performance.
Jockey Lynsey Satherley followed her instructions to the letter as she let Asterix lob along in midfield before sneaking off the rail approaching the home bend.
Faced with a wall of horses in front of her, Satherley didn’t panic as she switched Asterix into a gap in the middle of the track, where he produced a dogged finish to down a game Dionysus and gallant pacemaker Good Oil, who fought back strongly for third after being headed at the 250m.
Co-trainer Andrew Scott breathed a sigh of relief after the race as he explained some of the trials and tribulations the horse had faced since his Derby victory.
“His three runs prior to today had been very encouraging,” Scott said.
“He got back off a slow pace last time but worked home well in the straight and it is just great to see his stride back as he settled beautifully, and Lynsey rode him to a tee.
“It was just a really good Auckland Cup trial for three weeks’ time.
“It’s a credit to the team as he has had a lot of troubles throughout his career and the guys have put a lot of time into him to get him to this stage.
“We had to let him grow his feet out then he had a heart fibrillation and got the thumps after taking him to Sydney.
“We have brought him up slowly with this in mind and we are hoping he can have a great recovery from here.”
Horse racing bookmakers were quick to move as they have now installed Asterix as the +400 favourite for the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 9, ahead of Mark Twain at +600.
Satherley was delighted to pick up the ride on Asterix and was especially taken with his sharp turn of foot in the home straight.
“That was a big thrill and when I came out in the straight and put one behind his tail, geez he just took off,” she said.
“The speed was on and they quickened at the half mile, but I was told to be patient and when I came out he was really explosive.
“He will stay all day this horse.”