Matthew Cartwright is confident that the foundations laid during his initial stint in New Zealand will provide him with the platform to consolidate his position, but the talented 22-year-old jockey is determined to avoid the so-called second-season blues.
The Victorian rider will soon return across the Tasman to build on what was a breakout first season in New Zealand. On Saturday, he farewelled Australia in the best possible way, guiding Pop Award – trained by his mother Leonie Proctor and grandmother Lyn Tolson – to victory at Caulfield.
Despite his success, Cartwright is under no illusions about the challenge ahead, particularly with champion jockey Opie Bosson among the competitors he will face for top rides.
“It’s looking like it’s going to be competitive over there with a few of the riders coming back, but I’m ready to get over there and work hard,” Cartwright said.
“The second year is going to be, I wouldn’t say easier, but I’m just a little bit more well-known over there which is going to help.
“I’ve got a few stables that are going to support me, so that’s going to be the major difference.
“New Zealand, in general, has been good for me and I feel like as a rider I’ve got more confidence. I feel like I’m a better person and going to be a better rider going into next season.”
Cartwright is closing in on 300 career wins, with more than 50 of those coming in New Zealand this season, including a breakthrough Group 1 victory aboard Grail Seeker in the Tarzino Trophy.
“I rode a Group 1 winner in my first two months of riding over there, so it was very rewarding but the results did probably surprise me a bit,” he said.
“I was happy with what I did over there. I had 53 winners and eight Stakes winners in total, so I’d like to have a little goal of trying to better that.”
With strong backing from prominent trainers Stephen Marsh and Tony Pike, who both have a reputation for campaigning horses in Australia, Cartwright is hopeful of securing a galloper capable of taking him back to Victoria for the Spring Carnival.
“I’ll be working very hard and I’ve definitely got interest in riding in Australia on New Zealand horses if there was the opportunity,” he said. “I’ll definitely be looking for the type of horse that might be able to do that.”