Cartwright reunites with Maher for Wellington Cup bid

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 Wellington Cup.

The Group 3-winning stayer is trained by leading Australian horseman Ciaron Maher, whom 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 Melbourne Cup, with his best result being a sixth placing in the 2023 edition.

The Group 3 Bendigo Cup winner campaigned in New Zealand last year, where he finished seventh in the Wellington Cup before running sixth in the Avondale Cup (2400m) ahead of an Auckland Cup placing.

Interpretation placed in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) berore that campaign, and Maher has followed the exact same blueprint this year, with Interpretation finishing third in the New Year’s Eve Flemington feature.