Cup Day is one to remember for apprentice
RISING apprentice Stephanie Thornton says outriding her country claim will be her focus for the remainder of the season.
Some of the best jockeys around the world have descended on Flemington for the biggest week in the racing calendar, but it hasn’t denied Thornton the chance to ride in the bush.
On Tuesday, Thornton will clock up two years in the saddle since her race-riding debut on Clan McLeod in Hobart.
“I haven’t actually ridden at Cranbourne on Cup Day, this will be my first time there, but my first race ride was Melbourne Cup day two years ago,” Thornton reminisced.
The 18-year-old has been in consistent form, logging seven winners from her past 35 rides (20 per cent) prior to last night’s Moonee Valley meeting.
Having reduced her coun- try claim to 1.5kg, Thornton is eyeing a quick rise to senior status.
“I’ve just ticked over to my 1.5kg in the country — I’ve had 10 wins there so I’ve got 20 left,” she said.
“For the rest of the season, the idea will be to outride my country claim, get rid of the 1.5kg. After the spring the focus will be on utilising my 3kg claim in town and also at my weight I can ride 51kg, so using that to my advantage also.”
And while Thornton has been in super form, older brother Damien made sure he remained the No. 1 hoop in the family, winning yesterday’s Horsham Cup aboard Our Bottino.
Asked whether she had surpassed her brothers, Thornton said she had a little bit more work to do.
“Damien and Boris still have me covered for the time being, but I’m working on it,” she said. “Damien’s in great form, riding well since moving back from South Australia.”
“I’ve just ticked over to my 1.5kg in the country — I’ve had 10 wins there so I’ve got 20 left.” APPRENTICE JOCKEY STEPHANIE THORNTON ON HER CLAIM