Unlike past successes from trainer Chris Waller, the victory of Asterix came as something of a shock, with the eight-year-old gelding starting at $16 odds.

A victor in the New Zealand Derby four years prior, Asterix appeared to falter for a time before hinting at his top ability last summer by claiming The Beauford and placing runner-up in the Christmas Cup.

Waller was uncertain about Asterix’s performance on his seasonal return in the JRA Plate, but he was delighted when the endurance runner surged late to claim victory, thanks to a perfectly judged ride from Jason Collett.

“It’s taken a while for him to find his legs in Australia, but he’s certainly racing honestly now. That was a good win,.” Waller said.

“That’s exactly what we wanted to see and I think there’s a Gosford Cup in about three weeks to consider.

“We’ll have a look at that first, it’s good prizemoney here in Sydney and then probably up to Queensland.”

Asterix, at $16, powered clear from the pack under Collett to catch You Wahng ($9) right on the line by a long head, while the $3.80 favourite Travolta finished half a length further back in third position.

Collett noted the race “played out really well” for Asterix.

“His trials were really good coming into it, he had some freshness in his legs but starting off over 2000m may have been a question mark,” Collett said.”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.”

You Wahng, who took out the Queensland Oaks during the previous campaign, suggested a return to the winners’ list is near after her narrow second placing.

“She’s run very well so we will look at Brisbane again with her,” trainer Kris Lees.

“It was encouraging to see her run so well and if we get some rain-affected tracks, then that won’t worry her, either.”

Waller suggested that Travolta could target the Gosford Gold Cup on May 9 following his unlucky yet strong-closing third.

“It wasn’t a pretty sight, was it? Just didn’t have any luck at the top of the straight,” Waller said.”By the time he got out, it was sort of too late, but I think it showed he’s much more effective over these shorter distances, so he’d probably go there too.”

Check the Australian betting sites for the top JRA Plate markets and specials.