Cartwright’s winter homecoming

[Wandering Eyes]

After a successful first season in New Zealand, talented young jockey Matthew Cartwright is back home in Victoria for a winter stint.

Cartwright currently holds a spot inside the top 10 in the New Zealand jockeys’ premiership, while he also gained his first taste of Group One glory earlier this season when he won the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) on Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj).

“It was very rewarding and I was so glad to get that,” Cartwright said of that top-level triumph.

“I’m very proud of my efforts and what I’ve achieved for my first season in New Zealand; I had seven Stakes winners, there was a Group One, a Group Two, a few Group Three’s and a few Listed races.

“I was very happy, I rode 53 winners in New Zealand, it’s the most winners I’ve ever ridden in a season and we’ve still got a few months left.”

More broadly speaking, Cartwright believes that he’s benefited from his time across the Tasman, both in and out of the saddle.

“It’s improved me as a rider, it’s probably made me grow up mentally as well,” he said.

“I feel like being away from home has probably mentally toughened me up and made me realise what it’s like being away from home as well.”

Cartwright was back at the races on home soil last week at Kilmore and plans to ride in his home state for the next couple of months.

“I’m just going to have a lighter winter and be riding in Melbourne and then I’ll head back to New Zealand early August for a few Group horses,” Cartwright said.

“I’m happy with how it’s been going in New Zealand and I’d like to give Melbourne a crack for the winter, nothing permanent but I want to ride here and keep my licence in Melbourne for next season as well.”

Cartwright hopes to taste metropolitan success during his time back in Melbourne and will ride veteran galloper Curran for his family in Saturday’s Listed Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield.

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