Apprentice Stephanie Thornton has racked up another milestone with her first Flemington winner on the John Price-trained Wise Hero.
Two years ago on New Year’s Day, Thornton rode her first career winner at the once-a-year meeting at Burrumbeet in country Victoria.
Monday’s victory on Wise Hero has now given Thornton victories on all four of Melbourne’s metropolitan tracks.
“I’ve only had a handful of rides here before,” Thornton said.
“It’s a great way to kick off the new year.”
Backed from $4 into $3.30 favourite, Wise Hero led throughout to score by 1-1/4 lengths from Just Hifalutin ($4.20) with King Kohei ($61) a length away third.
Thornton says looking back to her first winner on Cherry Fiasco at Burrumbeet, she can’t believe how quickly her career has evolved.
She has now ridden 82 winners, 11 in the metropolitan area.
“I was very green, very inexperienced when I first started and I’ve certainly come a long way in my strength and experience-wise,” she said.
“I didn’t think I’d be here so quickly so to be here so early is a fantastic result for me.”
Thornton said she didn’t want to lead on Wise Hero but took up the opportunity when he was able to cross easily in the early stages.
“He certainly had a picnic out in front and I was able to increase the tempo entering the straight and he hit the line strongly,” she said.
