Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will line-up two New Zealand-bred fillies in the Gr.3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday and believes both runners will be competitive in the race.

 

It will be My Xpression’s first race day appearance in Australia and Waller is expecting a good showing from the daughter of Showcasing, despite her wide draw.

 

“She has trialled well since joining the stable,” Waller said. 

 

“She has good soft track form in New Zealand and she does have form behind Avantage in the spring, who won one of the fillies and mares races (Gr.3 Birthday Card Stakes, 1200m) at Rosehill a few weeks ago.

 

“Corey Brown was very happy with her trial, unfortunately she has drawn barrier 20 which detracts from her chances, but we will endeavour to find some cover and get her to finish off strongly and hopefully she will still be a winning chance.”

 

Waller will also line-up multiple stakes-winning filly Melt. The daughter of Iffraaj will resume after tailing the field home in the Gr.1 Surround Stakes (1400m) last month and Waller is hoping for an improved performance from his freshened three-year-old.  

 

“Her two runs in Australia have been fair,” Waller said. “Her first up run in the Light Fingers (Gr.2) was good over 1200m and then she was disappointing last start in the Surround. 

 

“I have freshened her up since then and she has very good soft track form. She has never been out of the money from five races on soft, so I am hoping that she brings that form to Randwick tomorrow.”