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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Mark Newnham describes emerging filly Expat as a dominator and is hoping for a repeat of her impressive last start win when she returns to Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Mark Newnham and jockey Josh Parr (Pic: Steve Hart)

The three-year-old made it four wins from seven starts when she led all the way over 1300m two weeks ago and while she’ll carry an extra 2.5kg in the XXXX Handicap (1400m) Newnham said she’s still very well treated.

“She has to carry the penalty but I’m pleased to get her up to 1400m,’’ he said.

“Even though she’s gone up in weight she’s only giving 1kg away to everything bar the bottom weight. It’s a very compressed scale.”

It’s amazing to think Expat, who was $3 favourite with TAB on Thursday, started $51 when winning on debut but Newnham said that’s likely because she doesn’t give a lot away in her trackwork.

Now that he knows her better he’s able to track her progress and is confident she hasn’t gone backwards since her latest win.

“With her it’s generally hard to tell on her work because she’s only an average worker, always has been as per starting 50/1 at her first start,’’ he said.

“But she’s physically really well, a good strong filly and she likes wet ground.

“She’s a good, tough, on-pace, filly that responds when she gets challenged and that’s a nice asset to have.”

With Sam Clipperton suspended, Josh Parr is back on board at Rosehill and Newnham said he won’t be changing anything as far as how Expat tackles the race.

“With her style, she likes the dominate the race and she gets a chance to do that at 1400m,’’ he said.

“It was against her in her first two runs back, third the fence might be a great position for a lot of horses but not necessarily her.

“Sam rode her well the other day by going a strong gallop. I would say Josh will be out there doing something similar.”

Newnham hasn’t yet found the key to bringing out the best in stablemate Sixgun but is far from giving up the ghost on a horse he’s adamant has the ability to be winning more than just one of his seven starts.

Since his outstanding debut win at Canterbury, Sixgun has teased but in six subsequent runs only recorded three second placings with the latest coming under 62kg at Kensington on June 16.

Because of that Newnham said he can’t be confident going into the Ranvet Handicap (1100m) until the gelding, a brother to Group 2 winner Splintex and half-brother to stakes winner Invictus Salute, proves himself.

Expat wins at Rosehill on June 19

“He’s promised a lot and delivered little. He has more talent than what he is showing on race day,’’ he said.

“His heavy track form is good so he may appreciate getting back on wetter ground. He’s not a big horse but his race manners have cost him more than anything else.

“The thing in his favour is that his brother and half sister both improved as they got older. Invictus Salute had her best preparation at five. As long as he’s got the talent we can keep chipping away.”

Sixgun, also to be ridden by Josh Parr, was $10 with TAB on Thursday.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting