Xanadu (NZ) has yet to win at Group 1 level but she will use the Waikato Draught Sprint on Saturday as a springboard to rich Australian races at the elite level in the coming months.

Matamata trainer Ken Kelso has mapped out a Sydney autumn campaign for the Elusive City mare and, providing she performs well at Te Rapa, will head across the Tasman within the next few weeks.

“She will go to the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill and she’s also nominated for the Doncaster,” Kelso said this week.  “There’s also the Queen Of The Turf Stakes and a lot of other options over there.”

There wouldn’t be a more deserving winner of the Waikato Draught Sprint than Xanadu after a frustrating run of five minor placings in Group 1 races in the past ten months.  “She certainly deserves to win one,” Kelso said.  “She hasn’t finished further back than fifth in 12 starts.”

Xanadu (4m Elusive City – Forest Dream by Forest Glow) is coming off a long neck second behind Final Touch over an unsuitable trip in the Telegraph Hcp (1200m).  “I think she’s a 1400 to 1600 metre horse and I was probably being a bit cheeky putting her in the Telegraph – but that race is often like a 1400 metre race anyway.  “She’s come through it very well and had a good hit out here at Matamata on Tuesday.”