Apprentice jockey Luke ‘Flying Mullet’ Cartwright keen to enjoy daunting experience at Flemington
Rising Star apprentice Luke Cartwright, dubbed the Flying Mullet by his peers, can cap a breakout season when he rides at Flemington for the first time.
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Rising Star apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright could cap a breakout rookie riding season in style at Flemington.
Cartwright, younger brother of 2022 Rising Star winner Matthew, is riding Fearless Writer in the series finale on Saturday.
Fearless Writer is an $8.50 third favourite with TAB behind Arqana ($3.50) and Cindy Falls ($3.90).
The 18-year-old cannot wait to ride at “best of the best” Flemington, but not before a walk of the track.
“I’ve strapped in the Melbourne Cup, I’ve strapped in Group 1s for Murray Baker,” Cartwright said.
“I’ve had a taste of the (jockeys’) room (as a valet helping with gear) but I wouldn’t know the course proper from a bar of soap.”
Cartwright, dubbed “Flying Mullet” by peers for the iconic hairstyle, sealed the Rising Star with a victory in the final heat at Seymour.
He has an unassailable 81 points from the 23-heat series, including wins at Benalla, Warrnambool and Ballarat.
Alysha Warren (58 points), Tom Prebble (50) and Sheridan Clarke (43) must cause an upset in the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Final (1600m) to influence the final order.
Points are awarded on 12-6-4-2-1 scale to the first five past the post.
“I do get to enjoy (Saturday) … ride the horse, focus on the race … and see how I go riding at Flemington,” Cartwright said.
“First ride there, it’s ‘HQ’, a massive track, the best of the best, it’s going to be daunting, but I’m just going to enjoy it.”
The mullet stays for the occasion.
“It won’t come off, but I’ll try and tidy it up a little bit,” Cartwright laughed.
Cartwright grew the mullet competing in motocross events before the move to become a jockey.
“(Jockey) Zac Spain loves giving it to me,” Cartwright beamed.
“When I ride a winner he says ‘the Flying Mullet strikes again’, it’s a good bit of banter and I like running it for now.”
Cartwright targeted the 12-month Rising Star Series after a timely breakthrough early winners.
“It took me 25 rides to ride my first winner and then I rode my first and the next day I rode a double,” Cartwright said.
“I rode three in a row in two days and one happened to be the apprentice race in Benalla.”
The series, apart from a chance for riders to contest apprentice-only races, also helps the young jockeys build connections with trainers and learn to work in with managers to pick the right horses.
Cartwright has ridden 38 winners to date for 21 individual trainers the past 12 months.
He credited a strong network, older brother Matt, manager Travis Johnstone and family, including trainers – grandmother Lyn Tolson and mother Leonie Proctor – for their support.
Brotherly rivalry has not been missed between “I wouldn’t be where I am without him” guidance.
“He’s helped me out that much, really given me the ins and outs of this series,” Cartwright said.
“He’s had his Rising Star trophy there and when we’ve had banter and that, he says I don’t want to hear it from you until you win one of these … I’m letting him know about it.”
Matt praised Cartwright’s commitment to the series and apprenticeship.
“He’s doing a really good job, he has worked very hard,” Matt said.
“I’ve been a big supporter of Luke, I don’t want to see him make silly mistakes I possibly did in my apprenticeship.
“I’m proud of him, he did it earlier than I did it, he’s got that on his CV, it’s exciting he gets to ride in the Flemington race.”
Originally published as Apprentice jockey Luke ‘Flying Mullet’ Cartwright keen to enjoy daunting experience at Flemington
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