Mature age apprentice Bailey Kinninmont is hoping to translate his recent metropolitan success into a victory at the iconic Flemington Racecourse, the venue for the Melbourne Cup.

The 28-year-old jockey will have his inaugural ride at Flemington this Saturday, partnering Lake Vostok in the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Final (1600m).

Kinninmont achieved his first city win on Wednesday at Sandown aboard the Gavin Bedggood-trained Silent Shares and is now looking forward to riding Luke Oliver’s Lake Vostok in Saturday’s race.

It’s worth noting that Lake Vostok won the corresponding race last year with Rose Hammond in the saddle. Hammond is down to ride Impending Shadow on Saturday.

Kinninmont, who comes from a racing family, grew up in Perth. His father, a former jockey, currently works as the ‘Racing Control Manager’ for the Hong Kong Jockey Club at Conghua Racecourse in China, while his mother, Kelly, is employed by Simon Miller in Perth.

Kinninmont shared that he had no interest in riding until he was 18. He was then sent to Melbourne, initially working with Julien Welsh and later Mick Kent, before obtaining his apprenticeship.

He has secured the majority of his 44 career wins, with 11 coming for trainer Luke Oliver.

“Mick Kent is my boss, but Luke is probably my biggest supporter,” Kinninmont said. “He throws me on everything, and I ride a lot of work for him, so he’s almost a second boss and hopefully we can repay the faith.”

Although Kinninmont has not yet ridden Lake Vostok in a competitive race, he was involved in all the mare’s jump-outs leading up to her first-up seventh at Flemington on June 20.

“She’s going great,” Kinninmont said. “I’ve had a lot to do with her the whole way through but couldn’t ride her first-up as I couldn’t ride in town, but she’s definitely improved on the first-up run and I think she goes in with a real winning chance.”

“I think she’s an open class mare, building through the grades, so she’s been unlucky not to have won a few more.”

Kinninmont’s birthday is on Sunday, and his family is travelling to Melbourne to celebrate with him.

“Dad is coming over from China, Mum from Perth, brother, cousins, uncles,” he revealed. “It’s my birthday on Sunday and that’s why they’re all coming over, but the race just so happens to be the day before, so that would be a nice present.”

Consider the available racing betting markets for Saturday’s Flemington card. Online bookmakers are ready.