In the past, Rosehill winner Asterius would be heading to Melbourne for the greys race on the Oaks day program but trainer Chris Waller has a million reasons to keep him closer to home.

Asterius ($3.80) prevailed over stablemate Mr Reckless ($14) to win Saturday's benchmark 88 handicap over 1500m by a short half head.

"He's entered for the greys race at Flemington but he will go to The Gong in three weeks."

"It's a million dollar race over 1800 metres in three weeks which suits.

"He likes his races three weeks apart and is a horse I think might get to the Villiers in December."

The $1 million Gong (1800m) is a new race on the calendar to be run at Kembla Grange near Wollongong on November 23 with Happy Clapper e headline act so far.

The Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) on December 14 is Sydney's summer highlight with the winner guaranteed a start in the Doncaster Mile in the autumn.