Apprentice Luke Cartwright is eyeing a special milestone as he prepares for his first ride in a Stakes race aboard Curran in Saturday’s Hareeba Stakes at Mornington.
Coming off a breakout day at Bendigo where he celebrated his maiden Saturday metro victory and turned it into a winning double, Cartwright now steps into black-type company for the first time as part of the Mornington Cup card.
Trained by his grandmother Lyn Tolson and mother Leonie Proctor, Curran holds a special place in the family operation, having already delivered Cartwright seven of his 57 career wins.
“I’ve ridden quite a few winners for them, but this is one of my better rides,” Cartwright said.
“They’re also giving me my first ride in a Black Type race, so to get a result for them would mean the world to me.”
The race holds emotional weight for the family, particularly Cartwright’s grandmother, who once worked closely with the legendary Hareeba during the sprinter’s prime.
“She worked at the track when Hareeba was in his best form, and she loved him,” Cartwright said.
“To win the Hareeba would mean more to her than winning the Cup at the home track, so I’ll be doing my best.”
Although Cartwright has not yet ridden Curran in a race, the horse is a proven performer with five wins and nearly $900,000 in earnings across his 37-start career.
His brother Matthew previously partnered Curran in four victories, while Craig Newitt was aboard for his most notable win in the Country Discovery at Geelong in 2023.
Cartwright recently rode Curran to a second-place finish in a trial at Caulfield Heath and said the key will be keeping the gelding relaxed and breathing freely.
“His trial and gallops have been faultless, so I think if he brings his best form, he can run a good race, but you have to make sure he’s got clean wind,” Cartwright said.
“If he’s breathing right and he gets the right run in transit, gets a cart up, he’ll be right in the finish.
“He’s run against some very nice horses in his time, and he’ll probably find this a touch easier, but he is going up in class from his first-up run, but he wasn’t completely right then.
“He usually runs well this time of year, and if there’s a bit of rain about that, he’ll appreciate that a lot more.”
