Matamata horseman Ken Kelso was indebted to the powers of persuasion of his wife and training partner Bev after Xanadu (NZ) won the G1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings.

Kelso fitted blinkers to the five-year-old mare’s gear on Saturday and was rewarded with a second Group 1 success.  “I would like to thank Bev for talking me into putting the hood on,” Kelso said.  “I was against it but it obviously made the difference.”

Xanadu (5m Elusive City – Forest Dream by Forest Glow) powered past iron-horse Mufhasa to follow-up her G1 victory in the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha in April.  “She travelled up nicely with the blinkers on,” jockey Michael Coleman said.  “Turning for home, I just needed the split and knew a long way out we would pick up Mufhasa.”

Kelso confirmed Xanadu would now head to Melbourne where the Group 1 Myer Classic at Flemington on November 2 is the focus.

Xanadu’s owners John Gilbert and his son Mike bought her privately from Little Avondale Stud.  She is by former Haunui Farm shuttler Elusive City (Elusive Quality) and is the final foal from Gatton maiden winner Forest Dream.  Second-dam India’s Dream (Western Symphony) was a G1 winner of the 1991 Western Australian Oaks.