Cartwright Secures Group 1 Ride

Gilbert Gardiner - The Australian reports:

Star apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright made the case to ride La Dorada in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) on Saturday at The Valley and got to work regardless.

The decision of Te Akau trainer Mark Walker, one way or another, could be a win-win for Cartwright.

A career milestone, first ride in a Group 1, at the start of the 19-year-old’s third season in the saddle, an obvious highlight, while targeting a light weight (50kg) would be beneficial experience wise also.

Cartwright has cleaned up the diet the past month, ramped up experience and absorbed advice from senior jockeys and mentors to cut down from 52kg – without the need of an energy-sapping sweat.

Te Akau trainer Walker and assistant trainer Ben Gleeson rewarded grateful Cartwright with the ride, despite interest from experienced jockeys.

“I gave Mark Walker a call about three weeks ago and I put my chips on the table,” Cartwright said.

“With the rider selection he had and with the riders that had rides in the races, the dart ended up landing on me, so very thankful.

“I really had my weight in check coming into the spring because as we know, like this ride, anything can happen … I’m surprised how good I am feeling at the weight.

“It’s a bit easier getting down to this weight when you’ve got a Group 1 ride, put it that way.”

Cartwright has ridden 86 winners since a debut on August 1, 2023. He rode his first winner two years ago exactly last Thursday.

Luke Cartwright rode one of Te Akau’s first winners in Australia after the New Zealand outfit opened its Cranbourne stable, and he will now ride for them in his first Group 1.

Luke Cartwright rode one of Te Akau’s first winners in Australia after the New Zealand outfit opened its Cranbourne stable, and he will now ride for them in his first Group 1.

“If you told me two months ago I’d be having my first ride in a Group 1 I probably wouldn’t believe you,” Cartwright said.

“I did expect my first Group 1 ride to be around this weight so I had my weight in check, if the horse runs well it might open up a few doors leading into the spring.

“I’ve been eating pretty clean the last week especially, I was dieting nicely two weeks ago.

“This week the diet has been a little bit more crucial, eating clean food but food also giving you energy.”

Cartwright coincidently rode one of Te Akau’s first winners in Australia – Savoir Faire – after the New Zealand outfit opened its Cranbourne satellite stable.

The 19-year-old has ridden track work and gallops regularly for Walker and Gleeson since.

Gleeson lauded Cartwright’s work ethic, potential and overall development.

“If you remove apprentice next to his name he’s arguably the most promising jockey in Australia,” Gleeson said.

“He deserves his chance, we had options of other people but we chose him.”

La Dorada, a $23 chance, is expected to outperform her quote in the Moir with an ultimate goal to peak in a Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) next month at Caulfield.

“She’s a feisty little thing,” Gleeson said.

“Small in stature but a firecracker, he knows what he’s got underneath him.”

La Dorada won four of five starts in New Zealand including the Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m).

 Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos