Jett Stanley could not have wished for a better way to end his apprenticeship than to ride a Stakes winner for the Australia’s First Lady of Racing.
Stanley guided The Instructor home in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on Saturday for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
Leading throughout, The Instructor ($4.60) held off a late charge from the $2.50 favourite War Machine to score by a nose with Hedged ($4.20) a half-length away third.
Stanley is unbeaten aboard The Instructor having guided the sprinter to victory at Moonee Valley last month.
Having started his apprenticeship in Perth before a stint in NSW and finally Melbourne, Stanley moved into senior ranks following Saturday’s meeting.
“I know it’s not the biggest race of the day, or the year, but for me it means a lot, especially winning for Gai and Adrian who have supported me very much,” Stanley said.
“I thought I was going to lose the ride as Gai doesn’t put apprentices on in Stakes races when they can’t claim.
“I had to convince her. It is my last day as an apprentice as I’ll be a senior the next day.
“I had done all the work, and she stuck solid and has stuck solid throughout.
“I’ve had nine rides for her this week, that racks up win number two with five placings as well.”
Stanley, the son of 1996 Caulfield Cup winning jockey Brent Stanley, heads into the Waterhouse and Bott stable twice a week to ride work.
He has been entrusted with partnering The Instructor who can be a tricky ride.
“This horse is very quirky, but I’ve been able to go in twice a week and gallop him and get him on song and ready for today,” Stanley said.
“He likes to go above himself because he knows he’s got the ability.
“It’s a huge thrill.”
Stanley said sticking to the rails had been advantageous for The Instructor, just as it had been when successful at Moonee Valley last start.
“That’s how he won it at Moonee Valley last time by railing and quickening around the tight corners which horses can rarely do,” Stanley said.
“He just does it and he’s able to do it and put that little margin on them and that can be hard to catch back and that’s where I knew where I had it won.”
Stanley’s final ride as an apprentice came aboard Flying Mikki in the Cleanaway Handicap (1200m) which finished fourth.
