Jett Stanley ends apprenticeship on high note

Jett Stanley capped off his apprenticeship in style with a memorable win aboard The Instructor in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington.

The rising jockey produced a front-running ride on the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained sprinter, clinging on to edge out War Machine ($2.50) by a nose, with Hedged ($4.20) finishing half a length back in third.

It marked Stanley’s second win from as many rides on The Instructor, who also scored with him at Moonee Valley. The win came on Stanley’s final day as an apprentice before he officially became a senior jockey.

“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 credits his familiarity with The Instructor, a sometimes tricky customer, as key to the result.

“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,” he said.

“He likes to go above himself because he knows he’s got the ability.

“It’s a huge thrill.”

As was the case in their Valley victory, Stanley opted to stick to the inside and it again proved to be a winning move.

“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 explained.

“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 closed out his time as an apprentice with one final ride in the Cleanaway Handicap (1200m), finishing fourth aboard Flying Mikki.