Opie Bosson should prove a worthy substitute aboard Amaryllis in the Lightning Handicap at Trentham tomorrow.
Amaryllis has been ridden by James McDonald in wins at Ellerslie at his last two starts. McDonald is at Rosehill tomorrow to ride Keep The Peace in the Ranvet Stakes.
Amaryllis won the group three Darley Plate (1200m) at her last start.
O'Cartier is attempting to repeat his Lightning Handicap win of three years ago.
He has top weight of 58kg.
O'Cartier regained winning form at Riccarton at his last start when tried in blinkers.
He carried 54kg to win the 2008 Lightning Handicap in the hands of Catherine Treymane.
Hayden Tinsley has the mount tomorrow.
O'Cartier ran third to Tip The Wink (Rosie Myers) and Bankside Belle in the race last year and second to Maximum Star (Darryl Bradley) in 2009.
Bosson is the new rider for Lagonissi in the New Zealand St Leger with Craig Grylls at Te Rapa. The Encosta De Lago mare followed up a 2000m maiden win at Te Rapa with success over 2100m there on March 2. Her co-trainer, Mike Moroney, won the St Leger with the mare Lady Dahar in 1996.
Trainer Stephen McKee and rider Leith Innes, who combined to win the New Zealand St Leger with Mr Charlie last year are represented by Kullu, who has had several placings since a maiden win over 1400m at Te Aroha in November.
Hayden Tinsley is back on Deputy, whom he rode to win over 2200m at Trentham with 58kg in January. Deputy subsequently finished second to Jumnoke under 59kg at Awapuni.
The apprentice Rosie Myers has retained the mount on Midnight Oil in the New Zealand Oaks. Myers rode Midnight Oil to a last-start win in the Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.
The filly is by Keeper, sire of Keep The Peace, winner of the Oaks 12 months ago.
The condition of the track could be crucial for King's Rose.
King's Rose could only manage fourth in the Lowland when unable to quicken on a slow track, rider Chris Johnson said.
King's Rose mastered 2000m on top of the ground in the Sir Tristram Classic at Te Rapa at her previous start, adding to her successes in the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas, Eulogy Stakes and Royal Stakes.
The track at Trentham was rated a dead (4) yesterday.
