Veyron will be on trial for a tilt at the Doncaster Handicap when he chases his sixth Group One success in Saturday's New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie.

The Thorn Park gelding has been one of New Zealand's classiest gallopers in the past two years, winning five Group One races since April, 2011.

The seven-year-old takes on Cox Plate winner Ocean Park, former Singapore star Better Than Ever and recent Group One winner Nashville in the New Zealand Stakes, with a trip to Sydney on the line.

"He's only going if he's racing well enough, but he could have gone to Australia two years ago," Veyron's trainer Linda Laing said.

"He's always been good enough, but he just wasn't there mentally, but he is now."

Veyron's target is the $2 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 20, in which he's been given 55.5kg, with a lead-up likely in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on April 6.

Veyron was second in the New Zealand Stakes a year ago behind Scarlett Lady and comes into this race after a brave second to Nashville in the Haunui Farm Classic at Otaki.

"Something galloped on him and pulled his back plate off, so the run was full of merit, because he didn't have much left on his foot," Laing said of his Otaki effort.

"Once he got galloped on and pulled the back plate off he was on one rein for the rest of the race, so it was a tremendous effort. He tried his guts out actually."

The race holds plenty of interest with Nashville attempting 2000m for the first time, Ocean Park likely to be improved after his first-up fourth at Otaki as he prepares for a northern hemisphere campaign, and Better Than Ever not out of it either.

Also trialling for Australia at Ellerslie is top two-year-old filly Ruud Awakening, who faces a small but select field in the Group One Diamond Stakes (1200m).

Ruud Awakening easily won the Karaka Million in January and her only defeat was to Bounding, who takes her on again on Saturday.

Trainer Stephen Marsh says the Golden Slipper is a possibility if Ruud Awakening runs well.