Victorian jockey Matt Cartwright is preparing for a return to New Zealand racing, hoping to build on a successful 2024/25.
Cartwright, whose winter stint in the Victorian ranks is coming to an end, has enjoyed a breakout season in New Zealand with 53 winners that included a Group 1 success.
He will be back in New Zealand at the start of August where he will reunite with leading trainers Stephen Marsh and Tony Pike, two of his major supporters.
“I’m looking forward to going back and hopefully having a good season because I feel I’ve got a few good horses over there and I want to make the most of it,” Cartwright told Racing.com.
Cartwright will finish just outside the top 10 on the New Zealand jockeys’ table in a season when his Group 1 Tarzino Trophy win on Grail Seeker has been a highlight.
He has ridden three winners since returning to Australia, including Yeah Right for his family’s training operation, at Pakenham on Monday.
Cartwright, 22, moved to New Zealand 12 months ago when opportunities in Australia began to dry up after completing his apprenticeship.
