Matamata trainer Ken Kelso has Xanadu (NZ) ready to resume in the LR Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa this month.

The Kiwi mare’s long-term goal is the G1 VRC Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington in November.

Xanadu (5m Elusive City – Forest Dream by Forest Glow) claimed the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha in April before an unplaced run in the G2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

“She’s making great progress and I’m pleased with the way she has come up,” Kelso said.  “We will follow the same path that we did last year, before ending up in Melbourne.

“She is nominated for the Makfi Stakes and Windsor Park Plate at Hawke’s Bay and then, all going to plan, it’s onwards to Australia.  There is a fillies and mares race over 1400 metres at Caulfield that will lead nicely into the Myer.”

Xanadu’s owners John Gilbert and his son Mike bought her privately from Little Avondale Stud.  She 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.

Kelso is also pleased with the way Bounding (Lonhro) is coming to hand.  She was Group 1 placed in the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie and one of her spring goals is the G3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings.

Stablemates Quest (Volksraad) and Wisecrack (High Chaparral) are making good progress along with newcomer Pussy O’Reilly (O’Reilly).  Kelso also reports his NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Fix (Iffraaj) has had a minor setback and will hopefully be ready to race again around January.