Raisafuasho looks set for an excellent winter after posting an emotional victory for owner-trainer Ann Browne at Ellerslie.

The nine-year-old made an immediate impact in his return over the smaller fences on Monday with a runaway victory in the K.S. Browne Hurdle, a prestige event named after the Cambridge horsewoman's late husband Ken.

Raisafuasho hadn't been over fences on race day since he finished runner-up in last season's Great Northern Hurdles, but he was still able to make short work of his rivals.

"Mrs Browne thought he may have been a run short, but she told me to ride him like he wasn't and to get rolling 800 metres out," rider Emily Farr said.

Raisafuasho had been a conspicuous last until Farr made her move and they quickly reeled in their opposition to be in front two flights from home.

"You've got to leave him alone and if you start niggling at him too soon he won't go," Farr said. "He can go from zero to a hundred very quickly though."

Raisafuasho didn't measure the final jump particularly well, but it made no difference and he cantered home by seven lengths from Ready Eddie with Yardstick a battling third.

The Great Northern Hurdles will again be the winner's winter target and Browne is mindful about getting him there at a reasonable spot in the handicap.

"I'll have to be careful what I put him in, he's not very big but he does handle heavy ground very well," she said.