Apprentice Luke Cartwright landed his first metropolitan Saturday victory when guiding hardy galloper Heavenly Eagle to victory in the Balgownie Bendigo BM70 Handicap (1300m) at the standalone meeting at Bendigo on Saturday.
The six-year-old son of Echoes Of Heaven came from well-back in the field to grab Waimarie and leader Prinzerro just on the line in a perfectly timed ride.
Prepared by Stephen Brown, Heavenly Eagle has got a good fresh record, with two wins and two placings from five occasions in a fresh state.
“We’re all pretty happy,” Elisha Brown said.
“He goes really well fresh and when I looked at the price this morning, I thought he was well over the odds.
“Luke has ridden the horse before and knows him well and Luke has got a bright future ahead.
“The horse has been a lot of fun for the owners.”
With four wins and 11 placings, Heavenly Eagle has been a solid money-spinner for connections since crossing the Tasman.
Bred by Frontier Bloodstock, Heavenly Eagle trialed on two occasions for Tony Pike in New Zealand before joining the Brown camp.
Jockey Luke Cartwright, who is the younger brother of Matt Cartwright who has really made his mark in New Zealand this season, was delighted to get the victory for the Browns.
“I had Stephen Brown Jnr’s voice in the back of my head telling me not to go too early as he has got a really good turn of foot late,” Catrwright said.
“I listened to him and pressed the button when the time was right and he timed it to perfection and got the job done late.
“I am rapt as it’s my first ever Saturday winner.
“Browny (Stephen Brown) has supported me since day dot and he has always been there for me. He is a great person to ride for. He is really cruisy and I know this fella, I have won on him before, and he said to me today to keep it simple, midfield and press the button when he feels right. He really grew another leg today.
“I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully I can keep racking up winners whether it’s in the country or the city, it should lead into a nice winter for me.”
By Echoes Of Heaven out of a winning Shinko King mare, Heavenly Eagle is a full brother to handy stayer Promised Land.