KIWI trainer John Sargent's foray into Sydney racing continues to bear fruit after tough mare Cathay Lady ($5) got off the canvas to score her third successive victory at Canterbury yesterday.

Sargent, who has a satellite stable at Warwick Farm, has been among the leading trainers in New Zealand for more than two decades and was crowned champion trainer in Malaysia in 2000 in only his third season there. Sargent is best known in Australia for
his deeds with 2012 Queensland Oaks winner Quintessential as well as Group 1 hero Red Ruler, who was also the runner-up in the 2008 AJC Australian Derby.
And while Sargent's Australian franchise numbers just 10 residents at present, the camp is rife for expansion in the new year, according to assistant trainer Andrew Carston.
``It's ticking along nicely, John comes over regularly and he's actually just been here this week,'' Carston said. ``He's just gone home.''

Cathay Lady's heroics almost didn't happen after she looked on the verge of defeat as rival Havana Rey ($5.50) drew alongside her inside the final 100m.
Ridden desperately by Blake Shinn, Cathay Lady responded to the challenge, staving off the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding to score by a half neck with favourite Mecir ($2.80) 1 1/4 lengths back in third.

``I was a touch concerned but I know she's a tough mare, she loves a fight -- she's as tough as old boots and Blake knows her qualities and her strengths. She's going really well this prep and seems to have an affinity with Canterbury so we'll keep coming back,'' Carston said.
``After her last win I said to Sarge, `I know it's a month between runs but why not go where she seems to be racing well?' Four weeks between runs is a little hard because she's quite a tough, hard-doing mare but I trialled her in between runs and they don't race her at Canterbury very often for 85 grand.''

Havana Rey's trainer Bjorn Baker, an ex-Kiwi himself, was the first to shake Carston's hand after the race.