Xtravagant returned to action with a soft barrier trial win at Te Aroha on Tuesday.
The four-year-old won his 1000 metre trial in 59.03 seconds under Matt Cameron and scored by a length.
A dual Group I-winner in New Zealand, Xtravagant failed to fire in two starts in Australia in the spring and is being set for a first-up tilt at the Group I Telegraph Handicap over 1200m at Trentham on January 21.
Stephen Autridge, who prepares Xtravagant with Jamie Richards, told NZ Racing Desk the win is a pleasant surprise.
"We didn't think he'd be winning it because we haven't done a lot with him," Autridge, said.
"We're really happy. He's only half-fit and it was a right-handed trial. He'll have another trial left-handed and then go to Wellington.
"He was here for education. We've just got to put Australia behind us and forget about it because he's shown us he's coming along as well as ever today."
