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By Ray Hickson

It would have been easy for apprentice Matthew Cartwright to take a number of rides at home this weekend but he was so taken by lightly raced mare Snapped’s first-up win there was no way he’d turn down the ride at Rosehill on Saturday.

Matthew Cartwright makes his Sydney debut at Rosehill (Pic: Grant Guy)

Cartwright, 20, has formed a successful association with the four-year-old’s trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman and is more than happy to make his Sydney debut with two rides for the stable.

He’ll partner Midwest for them in the Kia Ora Captivant Handicap (1100m) but he makes no secret that he’s in town for Snapped’s assignment in the Furphy Handicap (1100m).

“She’s a nice mare, she impressed me so I wanted to stay with her and I’ve followed her up to Sydney,’’ Cartwright said.

“It was a very good win at Sandown, she had a very sharp turn of foot.

“I’ve had a lot of luck with them, and Anthony and Sam have been good to me, so I wanted to stick with them and the horse.”

Snapped has won three of her five starts but it was the first-up win over 1000m at Sandown that gave Cartwright, who is closing in on outriding his 1.5kg claim, goosebumps.

All his plans went out the window at the jump and the mare conceded a decent start on the home turn but produced the meeting’s fastest 400m-200m and final 200m to score by 2-3/4 lengths.

“It was a little bit of a surprise to be back there. We had plans going in to sit three wide with cover not back last,’’ he said.

“She bounded at the start and over the 1000m they went very quick so I let her come back and she travelled nicely and proved too good for them.

“I’m assuming she ran the fastest sectionals of the meeting. She was pretty explosive and I’m happy to keep the sit on her.”

Barrier one faces Snapped, $3 with TAB on Thursday, at Rosehill and despite not having ridden at the track previously Cartwright is well aware the start will be crucial.

“I’m hoping she can jump better and at least sit midfield and maybe a bit closer,’’ he said.

“She has in the past so I don’t see why she won’t be able to.”

He hasn’t yet partnered Midwest for the Freedmans but takes note of the gelding’s consistent record of 13 starts for six wins and five placings.

Midwest was placed behind Jigsaw at Cranbourne first-up before venturing to Morphettville a month ago where he ran second, both races over 1000m.

“He’s an honest little galloper. He makes his own luck by being on pace so I’m sure he’ll jump and be in the first two or three,’’ Cartwright said.

“He’s been in not bad form so I’m sure he can run well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting