New Zealand three-year-old Sacred Elixir is on target as he heads to another Group One race and the Derby win which eluded him in the Melbourne spring.

"He had his first gallop last Saturday morning and he's coming up super, I couldn't be happier with him," trainer Tony Pike told NZ Racing.co.

"He looks great and we'll just keep him ticking over until the Karaka Mile."

After the Karaka Mile on January 29, Sacred Elixir is likely to run in the Group Two Avondale Guineas a fortnight before the NZ Derby at Ellerslie on March 4.

The winner of last season's Group One J J Atkins at Eagle Farm, Sacred Elixir added the Group Two Moonee Valley Vase and Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude to his record in the spring.

He then finished second as favourite to Prized Icon Victoria Derby at Flemington.