Apprentice lands winner at first city ride

Apprentice Matthew Cartwright has booted home a winner in his first metropolitan ride at Sandown.

Apprentice Matthew Cartwright has guided Mockery to victory at Sandown in his first race ride on a metropolitan track.

Cartwright began his racing career six months ago and rode his first winner at Swan Hill in October at his third race ride.

He is apprenticed to his mother and grandmother, Leonie Proctor and Lyn Tolson, at Mornington and is the son of Rikki Cartwright, a former jockey.

Fellow Mornington trainer John McArdle called on Cartwright’s services in Wednesday’s Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (1000m) and after jumping to the lead, Mockery ran out a comfortable winner.

McArdle said Cartwright gets on well with Mockery having ridden the filly at her past two starts, including a win at Sale on March 15.

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“She got in with a light weight after young Matt’s claim,” McArdle told racing.com.

“He knows the horse very well, just gets on her back, and when she’s in a bad mood like she was he didn’t fight her and let her do her own thing.”

In a touch of irony, Cartwright could have ridden sixth-placed Miss Starway for his mother and grandmother.

“I mentioned to him at the Sandown jump-outs last week that Mockery was coming here and I think he might have asked Mum if he could get on,” McArdle said.

“He does a good job so it is good to see.”

Cartwright has ridden 33 winners from around 250 career rides.