In a week he has had to retire Luvaluva, trainer John Sargent will look to another stakes-performed mare from his stable to make her mark at Rosehill.
On Wednesday, Sargent announced the retirement of five-year-old Luvaluva after the Group One-placed mare strained a tendon in the Epona Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday.
House Of Cartier is a year younger than Luvaluva and was placed in last year’s Group One Australasian Oaks in Adelaide over 2000m.
With racing scheduled to go ahead at at Rosehill on Saturday under strict coronavirus protocols, House Of Cartier will have the third start of her campaign in the Group Three Neville Sellwood (2000m), with Sam Clipperton to ride.
House Of Cartier steps up in distance after running fourth over 1350m on a heavy track at her most recent start at Rosehill two weeks ago.
“She’s at her peak now,” Sargent said.
“This should be a perfect race for her.
“She’s got no weight (54kg), it’s 2000 metres and she’s third-up. She won third-up last time in.
“I think she’s a smart mare and she’ll go on with it. She’s a bit under-rated, I think.
“She was placed in an Oaks last season and then was going for the Derby a week later but she injured herself in the Oaks and couldn’t run in the Derby.
“She’s bigger and stronger so I’d expect her to go close on Saturday.”
Adding to the mare’s task is the outside barrier draw in a field of 12.
Sargent has two acceptors for the Rosehill meeting with three-year-old filly Aspect Ratio in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes on a path towards the Group One ATC Australian Oaks (2400m).
The Sargent-trained Gust Of Wind beat Winx to win the 2015 Oaks, earning her place in history as the last horse to defeat the future champion.
