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Late-starter Zartan is continuing to take winning strides toward a trip to Christchurch.

The six-year-old’s exemplary form through the winter and into the spring has him on a path toward the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in November.

Zartan has four wins and a placing from his last five starts for Opaki trainer Kylie Little with his latest success at Wanganui on Saturday.

“After he ran third at Tauherenikau we put the nomination in and we’re heading toward the cup,” Little said.

“I told the owners that Saturday would be a good test for him and he got the job done well.

“He’s pretty tough and being by Zed out of a Westminster mare you wouldn’t think 3200 metres will be a problem for him.”

While Zartan’s recent run of form has been on heavy going, Little is confident the six-year-old won’t be disadvantaged by firmer footing.

“He’s run a couple of thirds on the better tracks so I think he will be fine,” she said.

Zartan, who began his career as a late four-year-old, will make his next appearance over 2000 metres on October 8.

“He’s having a let up this week and then he’ll go to Tauherenikau and on to Trentham on Labour Weekend for a 2400 metre race before we head down to Christchurch,” Little said.

She went close to a winning double at Wanganui where Zartan’s stablemate Sir Kingwood finished runner-up in the open sprint.

“He’s come through it well and I might put in a nomination for the Merial Metric Mile at Awapuni this weekend,” Little said.