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Improving stayer Nextanix will continue his march towards the Group One Sydney Cup when he steps out in the Randwick City Stakes.

Trainer Kerry Parker is banking on a stout summer campaign providing the platform for Nextanix to launch a Sydney Cup bid this autumn.

The progressive stayer will step out in Saturday's Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) against the likes of Herculian Prince, Permit and Fiumicino.

What's more, he will do it on the back of just one recent run.

Nextanix signalled his staying ability with seconds to Sea Galleon in the Christmas Cup and Yulalona in the Summer Cup, both over 2400m in December.

His only run since was a sixth to Mr Make Believe over 1500m at Rosehill on March 3.

But Parker has no qualms over Nextanix rising quickly in trip and says the four-year-old has plenty of residual fitness.

"He had two tough runs over 2400 metres at the end of his campaign and he was only out for a few weeks," Parker said.

"He was still a bit dour in his work and that's why we went to 1500 metres first-up.

"He will go to the 2000 metres on Saturday then go on to the Sydney Cup."

Prior to his most recent campaign, Nextanix's career had been thwarted by setbacks.

As a result, his Cup runs during the summer were Parker's first opportunity to extend the gelding over a staying trip.

Parker believes having that preparation has seasoned Nextanix for his autumn goals.

"That's what I'm hoping," Parker said.

"Last preparation was the first time he'd had a proper preparation.

"All in all, he is a bit mentally tougher and he's filled out."

Jeff Penza takes the mount on Saturday and Nextanix has drawn well in gate four.

TAB Sportsbet had him at $7 on Friday behind $5 favourite Permit, Herculian Prince ($5.50) and Merlin Mustang ($6).

Herculian Prince will back up from his fifth in the Chipping Norton Stakes and, pointedly, his most recent wins in the 2010 Metropolitan Handicap and Kingston Town Stakes both came off a seven-day back-up.