Expat claims the Millie Fox Stakes

AAP
Expat has led all the way to claim the Millie Fox Stakes. (Photo: Lisa Grimm)

Expat has led all of the way in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, staving off a challenge from Belluci Babe.

The Mark Newnham-trained mare started a well-backed $2.50 favourite with most online bookmakers, and the money turned out to be spot on.

The mare by Makfi extended her incredible record at Rosehill to four wins from six starts, as she claimed back-to-back Group wins.

Given a brilliant steer by her regular rider Tom Sherry, Expat showed her rivals a clean pair of heels, came to the centre of the track in the straight and showed plenty of fight to win by half a length.

The Group 2 success was a career highlight for Sherry, who notched up his first group win on a metropolitan track.

“I’m stoked. I’ve ridden two group winners but never on a metropolitan track. It’s a real excitement,” Sherry said.

“She’s tough as nails this girl. They didn’t give it to us easy – jumped well but I knew they weren’t going to hand it to us.

“She worked hard to get there but she came back underneath me beautifully.”

“She really relishes getting her feet into the wet ground. I held onto her as long as I could up the straight.

“She probably gave way fitness wise 50m out but guts and determination got her over the line. She’s tough as old boots and roll on the Coolmore I say.”

Sherry’s prayers were answered, with trainer Mark Newnham all but confirming that that is where she will head.

“I think she deserves a crack at the Coolmore Classic now,” Newnham said.

“He (Sherry) has got a lot of faith in her and I think he was happy for Belluci Babe to join him a little bit because she loves to get into the fight.

“It’s just good to get a Group 2 win for her. She is building a really good record now.”

Expat is now a $15 chance in the Coolmore Classic, which will be run over 1500m at Rosehill on March 12.

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