Two contrasting rides by two of Victoriaâs leading apprentices have landed trainer John Sadler a race-to-race double at Flemington.
Coming from last on the home turn and sweeping down the outside, Matthew Cartwright guided Flash Feeling home in the second heat of Mahogany Challenge (1700m) before Alana Kelly weaved a passage on Adele Amour to take out the first heat of Leilani Series (1400m) on Saturday.
Assistant trainer Tom Sadler said both riders had become an integral part of the Sadler Racing team.
âMatty Cartwright has been a part of Sadler Racing for quite a while, from before I came back, and itâs been really enjoyable to help him and watch his growth,â Sadler said.
âIt was a really impressive ride, the way he handled the horse was the way of a senior and Iâm hoping that a lot of other bigger stables will see that and put him on.â
On the otherhand, Kelly went against instructions as she weaved a run between runners in the straight to get up and win in the final few bounds.
âIt was funny, before the race she said, âI think it might open up on the railâ and I just said donât go inside horses, just come outside and keep it easy,â Sadler said.
âShe did completely the opposite but sheâs a great rider and she can do whatever she wants when she rides them that way.â
While Sadler has confidence in the jockeys, he also has confidence in Flash Feeling and Adele Amour.
âPhysically weâve always felt heâll be better next time in, but he just handles his racing so well and itâs a good time of year with this prize money on a Saturday too good to ignore,â Sadler said of Flash Feeling.
While most connections are after âBlack Typeâ for their fillies and mares, Sadler said it was not as important to the Hirsch family who own Adele Amour.
âObviously itâd be a fantastic result, but he (Eddie Hirsch) is probably going to hang on to her and breed from her himself and then race her progeny,â Sadler said.
âWeâll just try and keep her winning, keep her prize money up and chase the opportunity if it presents.â