Villiers Stakes plan for House Of Cartier

House Of Cartier is on target for a Villiers Stakes start after winning at Newcastle.

Group One placegetter House Of Cartier has stamped her class with a resounding win at Newcastle, prompting connections to entertain a Villiers Stakes bid.

Third behind Princess Jenni in the Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide last May, House Of Cartier relished a distance rise to 1850 metres in Saturday’s Australian Bloodstock Handicap, sweeping down the outside to score.

Winning trainer John Sargent was not at Newcastle but stable representative Campbell Ashby said they came into the race quietly confident they had the class horse.

Brenton Avdulla settled House Of Cartier ($5.50) midfield and she unleashed a strong run to score by three-quarters of a length over Sir Pippin ($5.50) with Master Shuhood ($5) another 1-3/4 lengths away.

Avdulla reunited with House Of Cartier having partnered her to her most recent win in March and said he was confident she had returned in good order.

“I’ve had a bit to do with her and she is Group One placed,” Avdulla said.

“I took a lot out of her trial the other day, I thought she trialled really well and if she was anywhere near her best today she would be very hard to beat.”

Campbell confirmed Sargent had his sights on the Group Two Villiers (1600m) at Randwick on December 14 for House Of Cartier.