Expat Australian hoop Matt Cartwright is looking forward to teaming up with his old boss at Trentham on Saturday when he rides Interpretation in the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m).
The Group Three-winning stayer is trained by leading Australian horseman Ciaron Maher, who Cartwright used to ride work for when based in Melbourne, and the New Zealand-based jockey said he knows the Irish-bred gelding well.
“I had a great connection and relationship with Ciaron Maher during my apprenticeship when I was in Australia. I am excited to be riding for Ciaron and I would love to get a result for him,” Cartwright said.
“I know the horse quite well. I used to ride him in a few of his gallops when I was back in Australia and I rode him in a trial.”
While he is the winner of just four of his 34 career starts, Interpretation has tested his talent against Australasia’s staying elite, contesting three editions of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), with his best result being a sixth placing in the 2023 edition of the time-honoured race.
The Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner campaigned in New Zealand last year where he finished seventh in the Wellington Cup before running sixth in the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) and placed in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m).
Interpretation placed in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) prior to that campaign, and Maher has followed the exact same blueprint this year, with Interpretation finishing third in the New Year’s Eve Flemington feature.
“By the looks of it he is going well and I think he profiles as one of the better chances in the race (Wellington Cup),” Cartwright said.
Interpretation is currently rated a $7 third favourite with TAB bookmakers for the Wellington Cup in a market headed by Rosso ($2.80), with Tshiebwe the second elect at $5.50.
Cartwright will also partner the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Roccadonna in the Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m), with the Contributer filly finishing third and fourth in her two starts to date.
“She is only a maidener but is still a nice chance going into that race,” Cartwright said. “A few of the horses higher up in the numbers look good chances, but she brings in probably the best maiden form.
“She has a tricky gate (12) but she gets back a little anyway, so if the pace is on and it suits her she will be running on pretty hard.”
On the undercard, Cartwright will also ride Platinum Pantheon in the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m), Sneak Peek in the $350,000 Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m), and Furiosa in the Harcourts Sprint (1200m).
“Platinum Pantheon looks a good winning chance,” Cartwright said. “A little freshen-up since Riccarton would have only suited him heading into this appearance.
“Back to the mile probably didn’t suit Sneak Peek in a strong race last week but I think the 2100m will really suit her. It is not the strongest of races for good prizemoney, so she should be right in it.
“I rode Furiosa last start where she was a bit unlucky and I think back to 1200m will suit. She will get back a little bit but she will be running on well.”
Cartwright is still coming down from the high of riding exciting filly Well Written to an eye-catching six-length victory in last Saturday’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, extending his unbeaten streak on her to five.
She now boasts victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), and Cartwright believes she is up to matching it with her counterparts in Australia.
“It was a big thrill. It was obviously one of my biggest wins, it was quite special,” he said.
“I think she has got the ability to (measure up in Australia). She has got to keep on improving obviously, Australian horses are very well respected and are good horses. She gives me the feeling she is right up to them. She has got a bit of freakishness about her and the win last week emphasised that.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
