Jett Stanley couldn’t have scripted a better ending to his apprenticeship than guiding a Stakes winner home for one of the most iconic names in Australian racing.
The young jockey partnered The Instructor to a thrilling victory in Saturday’s Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington, leading all the way for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Sent out at $4.60, The Instructor dug deep in the final strides to hold off favourite War Machine ($2.50) by the barest of margins, with Hedged ($4.20) finishing a further half-length back in third.
The win capped a memorable transition for Stanley, who officially joined the senior riding ranks following the meeting. The Hareeba marked his second win aboard The Instructor, having also guided the sprinter to victory at Moonee Valley last start.
“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.”
The son of 1996 Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Brent Stanley, Jett has worked closely with the Waterhouse and Bott team, riding trackwork twice weekly and building a rapport with The Instructor — a horse known for his quirks.
“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.”
Sticking to the rail proved decisive once again, with Stanley utilising the same tactics that brought success at Moonee Valley.
“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 later in the day aboard Flying Mikki in the Cleanaway Handicap (1200m), where he finished fourth.