Australia: Brookspire can turn tables on Expat in Belle of the Turf Stakes

Much has changed for the positive since Brookspire finished eighth of 16 in the Group 1 Australian Oaks at Morphettville Racecourse in May.

Brookspire has won two of her last four starts, which leaves the 4-year-old filly in an outstanding position to win her first group stakes in Wednesday’s Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes at a mile at Gosford Racecourse, north of Sydney.

The $144,780 Belle of the Turf Stakes drew a field of 11, including Expat, who beat Brookspire in November, and Amica, who was fourth against males in a one-mile handicap at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in November.

The Belle of the Turf Stakes is the last of seven races on a program that begins at 10 p.m. Eastern or 7 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday.

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Brookspire is trained by Chris Waller. She will be ridden by Hugh Bowman, who was aboard the filly for a win in a seven-furlong handicap on the infield Kensington course at Randwick in August in her first start since the Australian Oaks.

Brookspire was later second to Expat in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 27, closing from fifth in a field of ninth to lose by 1 1/2 lengths as the 5-2 favorite. Brookspire won her only subsequent start, a seven-furlong handicap at Randwick on Dec. 11.

Expat followed her win against Brookspire with a ninth in a field of 10 in the Just Now Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Dec. 11. Expat, trained by Mark Newnham, took her customary position at the front, but faded to lose by six lengths to East Asia.

For the Belle of the Turf Stakes, Expat will race without blinkers. A winner of six of 11 starts, Expat will race at a mile for the first time, a distance that will test her front-running ability with Brookspire expected to race as a stalker.