Mark Newnham has tinkered with Expat’s (NZ) (Makfi) training program this campaign and while it might have been costly first-up, he hopes to reap the rewards in the Racing & Sports Golden Pendant.

The speedy mare has historically raced well fresh but been flatter in her second-up runs so with Saturday’s Golden Pendant (1400m) in mind, Newnham deliberately left room for improvement when he sent her around in the Mona Lisa Stakes earlier this month.

Expat ended up outside the leader in a strongly run race and tired to finish midfield, but with the benefit of a subsequent barrier trial win, Newnham is optimistic the mare is ready to build on her outstanding record at Rosehill where she has won four of her seven starts.

“I trained her a little bit differently so she could be effective second-up,” Newnham said.

“She was probably a bit vulnerable anyway off quite a decent break, so she just got found out a bit fitness-wise.

“She has had plenty of work since, a solid trial, she gets back to her favourite track and she should get conditions to suit with rain on the way.

“She has a good draw as well, so she’s well in a race like that.”

Expat has drawn barrier two in the field of 16, which is headed by Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Nimalee (So You Think) and Tattersall’s Tiara heroine Startantes (Star Turn).