John Sargent is not expecting a winning return from Foxborough at Randwick but he is anticipating a strong campaign from the Group One placegetter.
The four-year-old finished third behind Funstar and Probabeel in the 2019 Flight Stakes before going on to finish fifth to Miami Bound in that year’s Group Two Wakeful Stakes at Flemington.
While Foxborough has struggled to fulfil that early promise as an older mare, Sargent says she has strengthened up this preparation and he is hopeful she can again measure up to some stakes races.
“I think she has (furnished) so it should be onwards and upwards this season,” Sargent said.
“I want to try to get some more black-type with her and I’m very happy with her this time in.
“We might even do another Midway on the way through and then look for some of the softer options for black-type in the spring.”
Foxborough will kick off her campaign in the Midway Handicap (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday and will carry 57kg after the two kilo claim of Tom Sherry.
She has won first-up but Sargent will be happy to see her relaxing in the run and finding the line.
“She has only had the one trial, so I think whatever she does, she’ll improve,” Sargent said.
“As long as she’s hitting the line strongly, I’ll be happy.”
The Midway Handicaps have become a weekly fixture at Sydney Saturday meetings since their introduction at the start of July and this week’s renewal has again proven popular with trainers, attracting a capacity field of 11 and three emergencies.
Foxborough is a $16 chance with Zorocat a $3 favourite to claim her second Midway win.
