Asterix (NZ) Adds Tattersall’s Cup to Standout Season

Group One glory in the New Zealand Derby (2400m) in 2022 will always be the career-defining moment for Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock), but his accomplishments in Australia as a seven-year-old this season are worth an honourable mention.

Asterix was offered by Curraghmore at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale, where Mr Sam Kelt bought him for $450,000. He has earned A$1.4m from a 29-race career that has produced eight wins including Saturday’s A$200,000 Group Three Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

The winner of four races in New Zealand including the Derby and the Group Two Avondale Cup (2400m), Asterix took time to find his feet after moving to Australia and joining the Chris Waller stable.

But he has turned back the clock in his seven-year-old season, starting in the spring and summer with 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).

Asterix has built on those results in 2026 and collected three impressive victories at black-type level – the Group Three JRA Plate (2000m), the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) and Saturday’s Tattersall’s Cup.

He was given a patient ride on Saturday by Tim Clark, who settled at the back of the small field before bringing his mount to the outside at the top of the straight to launch his run.

Asterix warmed into his work and finished over the top of his five opponents, getting up to win by a long neck.

“I just felt my main priority there was just to get him to settle,” Clark said. “He has raced a bit keenly previously, so I just felt it was really important to get the first two-thirds of the race right. If I could do that, I knew he'd take care of the rest.”

Waller was represented at Eagle Farm on Saturday by assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth.

“This horse was obviously brilliant at the start of the preparation, and then he took a massive step up in grade when he finished sixth in the Doomben Cup (Group One, 2000m) and Q22 (Group Two, 2200m),” Duckworth said. “So it was a drop back in grade today, and I think that’s all he needed.

“Tim gave him a lovely ride. He didn’t panic early and just let it all unfold in front of him, and then the horse was really strong late.”

The 2026 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 November with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday 12 & Tuesday 13 October (tbc).

Vendor	Curraghmore
Purchaser	Mr Sam Kelt (Hawke's Bay)
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