So Splendid if Thornton could be Rising Star

STEPHANIE Thornton wants to cap her breakthrough season by fulfilling one of her goals by winning the 2017-18 Rising Stars series, which ends at Flemington tomorrow.

The Geelong jockey (pictured) can only be beaten by Ethan Brown as the year-long apprentice’s 24-race series comes to an end in the Rising Stars Final (1700m) at Flemington.

Thornton said she was in a good position as she rides $3.10 favourite So Splendid while Brown rides $11 chance Ma Jones.

She has 57 points, four in front of her rival.

The winner of the race will collect 12 points and there is six points allocated for the runner-up.

The 19-year-old can seal victory if So Splendid can run first or second. Brown can only win if Thornton finished further back than fifth and Ma Jones runs first or second.

If Brown can get up and win, he will make it a clean sweep of apprentices titles, as he will be Melbourne’s champion apprentice as he has ridden 52 winners and also the Victorian champion apprentice.

“My two aims at the start of the season were to outride my 3kg claim in Melbourne, which I’ve done, and win the Rising Stars series,” Thornton said.

“It’s a prestige award. It’s something we all want to win each year.”

The honour roll of Rising Star winners includes Blake Shinn, Regan Bayliss and Nick Hall.

The past two winners have been Beau Mertens and Thornton’s boyfriend, Ben Thompson, who also won the accompanying $6000 prize.

“Ben loved winning it. He spent the money on his house but it’s not about the money,” Thornton said.

She is having her first ride for Chris Waller, who trains So Splendid.

“I’m in a good spot hopefully. I think I’m on the right horse with the right form,” she said.

Thornton said if she could win it would be the icing on the cake for a great season for her.

“I’m really pleased as this is my first season riding in Melbourne and I’ve ridden 25 city winners and I’m third in the apprentices title,” she said.

Thompson was in contention to win again but he has recently finished his apprenticeship. He will finish third this season

Thornton was apprenticed to Mick Kent earlier this year but changed her indentures back to her father, Glenn.

She is still based at Cranbourne but said she needed to ride trackwork for more trainers with only 18 months of her apprenticeship to go.

She said she rides trackwork each week at Cranbourne, Mornington and Flemington.

Thornton’s other two other rides come on horses where she won at their last starts in Tiffany’s Lass and Nordic Empire.