Jockey Thomas Huet has an important task to complete before treating himself to an overseas holiday.
Huet will be trying to keep an unbeaten record on Artistry, an in-form mare from the Snowden yard chasing a hat-trick of city wins at Rosehill on Saturday.
Artistry hasn’t suffered from not having the best jockeys in Australia on her back.
Hugh Bowman, James McDonald and Kerrin McEvoy have all had their chances to win on the four-year-old but couldn’t.
It’s been left to Huet to get the best out of Artistry with the Frenchman winning on her four times, most recently at Warwick Farm on October 14.
Huet will start a suspension after Saturday’s meeting and is hoping Artistry can cover some expenses for a trip to Japan where he will catch up with Christophe Lemaire, his compatriot who won the 2011 Melbourne Cup on Dunaden.
“I’ve never been to Japan so it will be a good experience,” Huet said.
Artistry has blossomed during a campaign that started in August but co-trainer Paul Snowden says there should be even better to come.
“She is slowly learning,” he said.
“She’s had some good form last preparation behind (highly rated) Najoom and obviously she’s gone on with it now,” he said.
“But this is all about getting her rating up and trying to get into those black-type mares’ races next time.
“So we’re not going to push her. She is a lovely well-built filly and the more confidence she gets the better she will get.”
Artistry is one of 14 nominations for a 1500m benchmark race and entries also include another talented mare in the Chris Waller-trained Telepathic.
