Apprentice Jett Stanley is confident he can overcome an untimely shoulder injury in time to chase his first stakes win at Randwick.
The young rider had a scare on Thursday morning when a horse reared and went over on him in the barrier stalls at Warwick Farm.
Having dusted himself off, Stanley was optimistic the issue was minor and was looking forward to some key rides on Saturday headed by the Brad Widdup-trained Fire Lane in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m).
The filly will be Stanley’s third ride in a black-type race after Celui for his father, trainer Brent Stanley, in the Listed Inglis Millennium (1100m) in February and the Theresa Bateup-trained The Guru in the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March.
“So third time lucky hopefully,” Stanley said.
Stanley partnered Fire Lane to a courageous last start win in midweek grade when she lumped 58kg and overcame a wide run to score.
While she rises steeply in grade, she is no stranger to stakes racing, highlighted by her fourth to Cylinder in the Silver Slipper at two and a competitive fifth behind Tiz Invincible first-up this spring in The Rosebud.
Stanley is thrilled trainer Brad Widdup has kept him on board and hopes to repay him with a win.
“Riding in a midweek to a stakes race and keeping a claiming apprentice on is a really good confidence boost,” Stanley said.
“Hopefully we can get the win for him and make it two from two.”
In another feather to his cap, Stanley will have his first ride for James Cummings aboard Atmosphere in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m).
His claim will reduce the four-year-old’s impost to 58kg and while Atmosphere disappointed first-up at Randwick on September 16, he has been freshened and his second-up record is strong.
The son of Lonhro was runner-up behind subsequent Group 1 placegetter Hawaii Five Oh in the Hawkesbury Guineas last season and at his best, is capable of featuring on Saturday.
Zaru in the Highway Handicap (1200m) and Russian Conquest in the final race round out Stanley’s mounts as the junior hoop looks to continue his good form following two placings from three rides at Randwick’s Kensington meeting on Wednesday.
Indentured to Annabel Neasham, Stanley says he is enjoying his time in Sydney and has been inspired by the recent successes of leading apprentices Zac Lloyd and Dylan Gibbons.
“Their success make you want it just as bad, or probably even more,” Stanley said.
“I’m loving it here, so hopefully it can keep going.
“I’ve always wanted to be a jockey since I was two years old.
“Now that I have made it happen, I’ve just got to hopefully get given opportunities and grab hold of them with two hands.”