Legarto back in New Zealand as connections aim up for spring carnival campaign

Trainer Ken Kelso resisted the temptation to push on to the $5m All-Star Mile with star filly Legarto and will instead focus on a spring carnival raid.

The last start Australian Guineas winner is back home in New Zealand as she's set to enjoy eight weeks in the paddock.

Kelso, who trains in partnership with wife Bev, said if the All-Star Mile were at Flemington they would have thought about pushing on but will look to give her extra time to mature up for spring.

Legarto (NZ )(3F Proisir – Geordie Girl, by Towkay)J : Michael DeeT :Ken & Bev Kelso

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"They tried to talk us into the All-Star Mile and to be fair had it been at Flemington, we would have given it some more thought but Moonee Valley sort of isn't her track," Kelso said.

"We were happy to bring her home, she had a big season and had done plenty coming over to Australia.

"Although she didn't have a whole lot of starts, she had a couple of tough runs and we thought it was best for her to tip her out and bring her home.

"She's come home and has had a couple days in the stable and we'll give her about six to eight weeks in the paddock."

Trainer Ken Kelso thinks patience will pay off down the track with star filly Legarto. Picture: Reg Ryan – Racing Photos

As a veteran of only seven starts, Kelso is confident tipping Legarto out early will only pay dividends down the track.

She joined an honour roll that includes the likes of Pins, Zabeel and Alligator Blood in winning the Guineas and will be back on Australian soil later this year.

The stable has a wealth of options with the daughter of Proisir, including the $10m Golden Eagle, but will likely focus on a kick off in the Melbourne spring.

A tilt at the Cox Plate is on the cards where TAB rate her as a $15 chance in futures markets.

"It was a huge thrill to win that race (Australian Guineas). You've only got to look at the past winners and it gets us up and about," Kelso said.

"We've got plenty of options with her but I'd say we'll look to plot out a path in the spring in Melbourne with her and then go from there.

"It's only upwards from here and it's scary to think the best of her is still to come. She's only had seven starts and is now a Group 1 winner here in New Zealand and in Australia.

"The world's her oyster as a four-year-old and on, it's quite exciting."

Meanwhile, Kelso was delighted with the performance of stablemate Levante who finished less than a length from Anamoe in Saturday's Group 1 George Ryder Stakes.

She will now set sights on the Queen Of The Turf at Randwick where she is $8 in TAB fixed odds betting.