Exciting three-year-old Expat (NZ) (Makfi) is chasing three wins in-a-row in the Tax Today Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The daughter of Makfi hasn’t finished worse than fourth this campaign, when she was first-up in the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes.
Her last two wins have both come on Heavy rated tracks, which Randwick is expected to be rated come Saturday morning.
Expat’s trainer Mark Newnham said the filly is handling her racing well, and the return of apprentice Tom Sherry adds to her chances.
“Her condition’s maintained, her race weight is the same. She’s been terrific,” he said.
“It (Sherry’s apprentice claim) allows her to remain in the same grade.
“She’s been winning pretty well, I think she’ll carry a one kilo more, but she put them away pretty well.
“The only difference is she’s bringing that Rosehill form to Randwick, but she loves wet ground, she loves to dominate a race and Tommy’s had good success on her before.”
Saturday will be Expat’s fifth run this preparation, which included two trials back in mid-April.
Newnham says Saturday will most likely be the three-year-old’s final start this campaign, with a return to black type races in the three-year-old’s future.
“This will probably be her last run this time in,” he said.
“I’ll give her a little freshen-up and then I’ll more than likely give her a couple of runs during the spring.
“Then hopefully some stakes races for her next autumn.”
