Expat in good touch ahead of Millie Fox Stakes

Mark Newnham is hoping that Expat can continue her terrific run of form in Saturday’s Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.

The four-year-old mare has won four of her past six starts, including an all-the-way win in the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf at Gosford on December 29.

The mare by Makfi has an imposing Rosehill record, with three wins and a third from five starts at the track.

Since her convincing win at Group level in December, Expat has trialled just once, leading throughout at Warwick Farm on February 4 in a 1000m Open Trial.

“She’s come back really nicely,” Newnham told Sky Racing.

“She had a freshen up after winning the Belle Of The Turf.

“She’s a mare that’s been super consistent over her whole career and loves Rosehill, (she was a) 1300m winner first-up last preparation.

“(She had a) terrific trial leading into it, so I’d say that she’s going to be in the finish.”

Apprentice jockey Tom Sherry partnered the mare to a first-up win in November before reuniting with her in her most recent start, so he has once again been given the opportunity to ride the AU$360,000 earner.

Having drawn barrier eight in the Millie Fox Stakes, Expat is likely to take up her favoured role and lead the field of eight mares, which includes Group 1 winner Krone.

Krone is trained by Queensland’s leading trainer, Tony Gollan, and she is once again on a path towards the Coolmore Classic.

Krone was victorious in last year’s Coolmore, which was run at Group 1 level over 1500m at Rosehill.

Having run twice in Queensland in preparation for Saturday’s run, her trainer believes she can show her best at a track she loves.

Hugh Bowman will take over from Tim Clark, who has opted to stick with Bring The Ransom for the Bjorn Baker stable.

From barrier four, Gollan is hoping that his $1.4 million earner can land in behind the speed and get a soft run in transit, to offset her big weight of 58kg.

“She’s probably a tad fresher in the legs this year going down,” he said.

“She had a lot deeper summer last year – she’s only had the two runs this time, and I thought both were really good runs without winning.

“She’s had five weeks between runs, a short little let up at Embrook. I haven’t given her a trial, which is my only concern going down, but I probably shouldn’t be worried – her work has been good.

“She certainly goes there a very happy, sound mare.”

Expat is the +220 favourite with Bovada to take out tomorrow’s race, while Krone sits on the third line of betting at +400.