An outstanding record at Rosehill has convinced Mark Newnham to kick off Expat’s carnival campaign at the western Sydney track.
The speedy mare will resume in Saturday’s Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) over the same course and distance that yielded a first-up victory last preparation, albeit in benchmark company.
However, Expat has since proven herself in black-type grade, winning the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford during the summer and if she can return a winner on Saturday, Newnham plans to raise the bar even higher.
“One of the reasons she has gone there instead of going to the Guy Walter (Stakes at Randwick) next week is that she has got that good record at Rosehill,” Newnham said.
“If she is able to win on Saturday, we will put her into the Coolmore (Classic) and give her a real test.
“I would love a sprinkle of rain because that improves her again, but she is going there in good shape.”
Expat still holds residual fitness from her summer preparation and has won two of her three starts first-up.
She boasts a superior overall record with seven wins from 12 starts but Newnham admits she hasn’t always been an obvious talent.
“No. She won a maiden at 50-1 at her first start,” he said.
“She didn’t show us much at all early, but she has kept improving and now she is a Group Three winner and a valuable mare, and hopefully we can add a bit more to it.”
Expat has opened a $4 favourite for the Millie Fox Stakes, ahead of reigning Coolmore Classic winner Krone, Rocha Clock and Belluci Babe, who all share the second line of betting at $5.
