Joe Pride is banking on the cream rising to the top when dual Group winner Expat has her third start for the stable in the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.
The highest rated runner in the bumper field of 16 plus four reserves, Expat will concede five kilos to the majority of her rivals as she bids to go one better than her second to import Princess Grace in the Hawkesbury Crown last start.
The mare was formerly prepared by Mark Newnham but with his upcoming relocation to Hong Kong, Pride has taken over the reins and says Expat has been an uncomplicated addition to the stable.
“She’s really quite simple and straightforward. She is a bombproof mare,” Pride said.
“She does her thing, gets up on speed and rolls along. She needs things in her favour on the day and I’ll be interested to see how that track plays at Scone but if it’s fair, she will get her chance.
“It’s got a pretty long tail this race. There are a few horses I don’t think are at her standard but that’s reflected in the handicap as well.
“She’ll run boldly, she doesn’t know anything else.”
While Expat races on speed, barn mate Lekvarte is a backmarker and can unleash a powerful finish when at her best.
She is yet to prove herself at stakes level, but Pride believes she has the ability to feature and will be significantly advantaged back on a firm track after her first-up fifth to Saturday’s rival Healing Oasis on heavy ground.
“I’ve run her in a Listed race before and she didn’t have much luck,” he said.
“She’s an improving mare. I liked her run first-up because she doesn’t like wet tracks, and I feel she’s got a good, peak run in her.
“She’s got an explosive finish and I quite like the shape of this race for her.”
Lekvarte is an $18 chance for the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) with Expat drifting to $6 after opening favourite.
The Brad Widdup-trained Short Shorts, who backs up from a narrow second at Gosford last weekend, has been heavily supported and is a $5.50 top pick after as much as $15 was offered.