Talented apprentice Jett Stanley excited about Bendigo homecoming as he prepares to step up to senior ranks

Jett Stanley is on the verge of joining the senior riding ranks and a maiden stakes win at his home Bendigo track on Saturday would be fitting.

No better place than Bendigo for local export Jett Stanley to snare a first Victorian stakes success.

The home deck has already provided the apprentice jockey, set to graduate to senior in a fortnight, his first ever jumpout ride and first winner for father and Bendigo trainer Brent.

Stanley’s mother Paris works for the Bendigo Jockey Club, while sister Lulu will be checking tickets on the gate on Golden Mile day, the club’s premier race card outside of the Bendigo Cup.

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The youngest Stanley, Lexi, isn’t old enough yet to work “but she thinks she’s the boss”.

Stanley will be reunited with Rhinoceros in the Golden Mile after the consistent six-year-old, trained by Emma-Lee and David Browne, saluted as a $31 outsider last Saturday at Caulfield.

Stanley rode Rhinoceros the start prior, runner-up in the Bairnsdale Cup to stablemate Le Zebra.

“He’s a horse that’s always had the ability to do things he’s done,” Stanley said.

“54kg will suit him beautifully (down from 59kg last Saturday), and I think it should be a nice run, a little bit of a sticky draw.

“He can get a little bit fierce but I’m quite happy with the way the pace is looking in the race.”

Regal Zeus and Aramco, $7 and $9 respectively, should set the tempo on Saturday.

Rhinoceros is a $23 chance.

Favourite Enxuto ($4.60) and Smokin’ Princess ($5.50) lead a wide-open market.

Stanley has ridden 141 winners to date, including a Listed success in Sydney last year.

Bendigo export Jett Stanley is looking forward to Golden Mile day. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

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The 20-year-old, Melbourne-based now, started his apprenticeship in Western Australia and then rode on the NSW provincial, country and metropolitan circuit.

He returned to Victoria last year and enjoyed good success for leading Australian stables including Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald and Peter Snowden.

“I’m working very hard, as mum and dad instilled in me early, you have to work hard for the rewards and that’s what I’m doing,” Stanley said.

“My masters at the moment Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin are helping me out tremendously and I’m very fortunate Peter Snowden allowed me to go on loan to them and he’s helped me out. I rode a winner for him (last) Tuesday, a winner for Annabel on Wednesday, it’s ticking along nicely.”

Any Bendigo winner on Saturday, a tricky task with three of five rides at big odds, could spark a raucous reception.

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Stanley has a cohort of friends, family and old schoolmates Golden Mile-bound on Saturday.

“I mucked around a fair bit up there (Bendigo) with the boys, as every young teenager does, and I enjoyed my time doing it,” Stanley said.

“Country people are great to be around, they keep your spirits high when you’re in a bit of a slump and when you’re going high they keep you settled, it’s a great community.

“I do love Bendigo.”

Stanley’s mounts include The Bantam, an $81 chance in the Bendigo Guineas trained by father Brent.

“He’s a horse that’s got a lot ability,” Stanley said.

“We’ve got a lot of faith in him. He’s a little bit of a tricky horse, one that doesn’t want to do what we tell him and he’s quite OK being a little bit of a pest.”

Brent Stanley commended his son’s development and work ethic.

“He’s riding for good trainers and giving them every hope,” Stanley said.

“He’s riding as good as any senior rider.

“His claim isn’t going to last much longer but I think he’s going to kick on without it and get better in time. He’s working his butt off so he deserves all the rewards he’s getting.”

Originally published as Talented apprentice Jett Stanley excited about Bendigo homecoming as he prepares to step up to senior ranks