It was only a midweek maiden at Eagle Farm but jockey Tony Pattillo felt the emotional moment and gave a celebratory gesture as Are We In Love delivered rookie trainer Paula Cartledge her first ever winner.Pattillo saluted with a wave of his finger as Are We In Love crossed the line 1-1/4 lengths ahead of No Shackles in Wednesday's Johnnie Walker Black Plate (1400m).The Gold Coast-based jockey had never set eyes on Cartledge until meeting her in the enclosure but there was still plenty of emotio

It was only a midweek maiden at Eagle Farm but jockey Tony Pattillo felt the emotional moment and gave a celebratory gesture as Are We In Love delivered rookie trainer Paula Cartledge her first ever winner.

Pattillo saluted with a wave of his finger as Are We In Love crossed the line 1-1/4 lengths ahead of No Shackles in Wednesday's Johnnie Walker Black Plate (1400m).

The Gold Coast-based jockey had never set eyes on Cartledge until meeting her in the enclosure but there was still plenty of emotion behind the filly's commanding victory.

Pattillo was a close friend of Cartledge's former partner, Ben Sempf, who died in a car crash in Sydney a few years ago.

"I grew up with Ben in Caloundra and his father Kev used to be a trainer up there," Pattillo said.

"Ben and Paula have a little three-year-old boy together and it was a very sad situation when Ben was killed.

"Until today I had never met Paula, so it was really satisfying for me to ride a winner for her.

"Ben and Paula were track riders for John O'Shea in Sydney when he was killed in the car accident."

Cartledge also rode for Graeme Rogerson while she was in Sydney before deciding to take out a trainer's licence last February and start a new career at Murwillumbah in far northern NSW.

"I've got a 200-hectare property with swimming facilities and a handful of stables on course at the track," she said.

"I've only got this filly in work at the moment but I've got two more coming into work soon after I had to sack a few."

Are We In Love was previously trained by John Hawkes in Sydney but was sold to Cartledge for $11,000 at one of Magic Millions' tried-horse sales following her second start failure at Rosehill in December.

The daughter of More Than Ready made her debut for Cartledge when finishing fifth in a maiden at Grafton on April 28.

"Deputation won the race and set a record that day," Cartledge said.

"She was in a photo for fourth and fifth and was only 2-1/2 lengths behind the winner."

Cartledge is undecided what to do next with Are We In Love but is confident she'll develop into a useful performer after a spell.

"I'm not sure but I might spell her now and bring her back for some of the (NSW) Northern Rivers Cups or I can race on and take the next step up in class," she said.

Pattillo also believed the filly was destined for bigger things next season.

"It was a good win and I think this filly might have a big future," he said.