That’s the spirit — Thornton triumphs
MODEWARRE apprentice Stephanie Thornton put in a perfectly judged ride and then survived a protest in the stewards’ room to collect a victory for trainer Mick Kent at Geelong yesterday.
The 18-year-old rising apprentice, who is currently on loan with Kent, rated Princeton Spirit expertly, holding off a fast finishing Circomo to claim the Simon Morri- son Maiden Plate (1000m) by about a neck.
But the battle on the track was only part of it, with Circomo’s connections putting in a protest after Princeton Spirit shifted out at the top of the straight. It was thrown out. Princeton Spirit’s win is Thornton’s first for Kent, coming in just her second ride for the stable.
“I was quietly confident coming into today. I was lucky enough to partner him in his trackwork and trials since going on loan to Mick Kent,” Thornton said. “It’s great to get the result there. “I was really happy with the position we got during the run. He really finished off nicely.”
Circomo threw down the challenge to Princeton Spirit once they straightened, but Thornton’s mount showed fighting qualities to hold off the Freedman galloper.
“The closer that horse got to me the more he found,” she said.
“He still has got a lot to learn. I don’t think the penny has fully dropped for him. When it does hopefully he will be a nice horse.”
Thornton described her loan spell with Kent as “fantastic”.