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By Ray Hickson

Lady Laguna’s form since Tyler Schiller last rode her exudes confidence so that’s what he’s expecting from the mare when they reunite in the Group 2 $300,000 Kia Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jockey Tyler Schiller (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It was back at the end of December when Schiller guided the Annabel Neasham-trained mare to victory in Brisbane and she’s parlayed that into a Magic Millions win and her first black type success.

“She’s in terrific form, she hasn’t missed a beat this prep and I think Annabel is pretty confident that she’s going well,’’ Schiller said.

“She definitely dashed through when I rode her and give me a great feel and to see her go on with it I’d only expect more improvement in her confidence in herself.”

Lady Laguna, $2.25 with TAB on Friday, ran a scorching 32.19 (via Punter's Intelligence) for her last 600m in winning the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) on a good 3 at Rosehill three weeks ago and Schiller likes the fact she’s been given a few weeks between runs.

What he likes about the four-year-old is that as she’s matured she’s shown an ability to cope with the variables of racing and that only helps his job.

“She’s gone out there and done it well on a pretty firm deck so getting back on a softer track probably helps her joints a bit more and fills her with more confidence,’’ he said.

“Her more preferred ground was probably softer, sting out of the ground, before this prep but she seems to be able to do it on anything.

“She’s adaptable to running position and track condition at the moment which is a good problem to have because you can place her anywhere.”

The natural progression for Lady Laguna would be a shot at the Group 1 Coolmore Classic in three weeks where she’d have to stretch to 1500m.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if she ran it, she can race anywhere which is a big bonus,’’ Schiller said.

“She’s one of the more adaptable horses going around at the moment.”

Import Canberra Legend begins his first full preparation under Chris Waller’s care in the Listed $200,000 Parramatta Cup (1900m) and Schiller is looking forward to seeing how he’s settled in.

He rode the gelding in The Beauford on Hunter Day at Newcastle in the spring and he’s optimistic about Canberra Legend’s chances after partnering him in an exhibition gallop at Canterbury last week.

“He felt terrific, I know at the end of last prep I probably caught him at the end of his campaign and I probably didn’t ride him ideally,’’ he said.

“He got a nice spot early but when the pace slackened I put pressure on midrace and he didn’t quite see it out.

“He’s probably a horse that needs momentum, he’s a big boy with a massive stride, and if he can get a nice spot from that draw he should be able to make up a bit of ground.”

Lady Laguna wins at Rosehill on February 3

Tyler Schiller on Gai’s Artist (race 4): “She was a bit green at her first start but she had a rail to follow. To pick that horse up I thought she did a great job. They tell me she’s improved a bit, I’d only expect her to be better than she was on the Kenso, and hopefully greenness wise she’s ironed that out. She’s drawn a gate which is a big bonus because she’s got natural speed and you can put her anywhere in the first four.”

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