We were no stranger to success from New Zealand raiders in 2011 with the likes of Scarlett Lady at times dominating the best we could throw at them.

A man who is hoping to replicate that success in 2012 is Don Sellwood and once again it will be in the three year old filly ranks.

The contender this time in is Anabandana, a horse that’s won five events from her nine career starts.

She’s looked seriously impressive up against the best in New Zealand but it’s always a question as to whether that form will travel with the horse.

Sellwood knows this and is keeping things low key as a result but you can tell he’s quite confident.

“She’s a nice filly, it’s going to be an interesting exercise to see what does happen,” he said.

She’s currently in Melbourne ahead of an autumn program that could stretch to Sydney as well.

“We mapped out a couple of nice races for her,” Sellwood said.

“We’re just going to wait and sit back and see how she performs.”

At the moment there’s nothing to suggest she won’t be the same horse here as she was over their either with the trip not taking any obvious toll.

“She seems quite happy, she travelled good, she’s eating everything and doesn’t appear too worried,” he said.

“She’s quite special really, she’ll cope with anything.”

Anabandana will run first up in the Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes over 1200m during the early part of the carnival.

Sellwood will use that performance to judge the rest of her program but all things are pointing towards Group 1.

“We’re not going to rush into anything but that’ll give us a good line on her,” he said.

“What she’s done her in New Zealand I think she’s right up to it.”