Disappointed not to be accepted by Victorian Apprentice, Stanley had to move to Perth to start his career with leading coaches Grant and Alana Williams. But the chance to ride every day brought him back east. He carries the expectations of his family but has also produced a record that shows he has the talent to succeed in Sydney and he was given his chance in the winter.
There is pressure to keep up with his peers. Lloyd, Gibbons and Schiller have established themselves at the top of the jockeys’ union and raised expectations for the next apprentice. For Stanley, who has ridden 86 winners and has been riding for just over two years, there is still a lot to learn. She was an ideal choice for 19-year-old Neasham, whose stability and work ethic was a role model for him to emulate.
“It was quite a change, but luckily I was able to find my footing with Annabelle’s support,” Stanley said. “It was great working with her as a young jockey and I felt like if I could ride well we could get through it together.”
Stanley has struck out for his new boss at 30 per cent since taking the job and has also impressed outside the stables, with Bjorn Beck flying Markovic tomorrow. However, the spine of his book comes from Nisham, as he reunites with his city champions Naval Academy and Oasis of Healing, and takes over Randwick’s last stand of champion loot.
“Healing Oasis was carrying 49kg after I made the claim, so we’ve lost weight really well,” says Stanley. “She just keeps getting better.”
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“Naval Academy grades improved, so lost a bit of weight, but on the go [to 2000m] He is looking.
“Raven won on the same day as the Naval Academy and he’s been doing really good work since. Just another winner for the boss.
“I was Wyong’s chief conductor last time as well, and he’s ready to come to the city. We’re just one man up front, and it’s good that he won, and he can do something like that over the weekend.”
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