WILLIAM Stanley hopes his breakthrough provincial winner at his new home base at Newcastle today will be the first of many.
Stanley, who turned 21 in October and is married to Chelsea (daughter of former Newcastle trainer Wanda Ings), found the quickest way home along the inside in the straight to land the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) on $11 chance Dances With Hooves.
Stanley, a well spoken young man who began his apprenticeship with Wanda Ings at Bathurst when he competed on the picnic circuit, subsequently joined Orange trainer Alison Smith to make the move to the professional ranks, and is now with leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
“I rode on the picnic circuit for about 18 months, and then was with Alison for around two years,” he said.
Stanley moved to Newcastle a couple of months ago to join Lees’ stable on loan on the recommendation of dual Melbourne Cup winning jockey Corey Brown.
“Corey rang four or five months ago, and said he had a good gig for me if I wanted to take it,” Stanley said.
“I spoke with Alison, and she was happy for me to make the move.
“Whilst I’m on loan at present, I’m loving it at Newcastle and would like to extend my stay.
“It’s a great racing community, and everyone has made me feel welcome, and Chelsea is happy here as well.”
Born at Orange, Stanley moved to Bathurst with his parents when he was 10 years of age.
Racing has always been in his blood, and he could not have wished for a better start to his riding career.
Not only did he win at his first ride ($7 chance Dot The Eye for Wanda Ings) at Bedgerabong picnics on February 13, 2021, but also landed the Picnic Cup that day on Song One ($3.80) for Bryan Dixon.
“I had four rides for two wins,” Stanley said. “It was a day I’ll always remember.”
Following his best season to date with 34 wins, Dances With Hooves was his 10th this season – and 84th in his career.
He rides at 55kg, and is eligible to claim 3kg at the provincials, but has outridden his country allowance.
Stanley’s 3kg claim was indeed handy at Newcastle, lessening Dances With Hooves’ weight from 61kg to 58kg.
He was having only his second ride for the mare’s Scone trainer Cameron Crockett, and eased her back to last early from an outside draw, then saved valuable ground on the fence to the home turn.
“She was travelling strongly coming to the turn, and I was pretty confident she was the horse to beat,” Stanley said.
After initially looking to get to the outside on straightening, Stanley noticed room near the inside and went back there, which proved decisive.
Dances With Hooves ran on strongly to overhaul last start winner and $3.20 favorite Luskaire, posting the fifth success of her 13-start career to date.
. Stanley’s new boss Kris Lees was at Royal Randwick today, where he was successful with Pier Pressure ($6) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m).
A Group 1 placegetter as a two-year-old, the now four-year-old mare has hit form with a vengeance, reeling off three wins in a row; the last two in town.
Pier Pressure was ridden by another Lees’ apprentice Ben Osmond, who is in great form and has partnered the mare in her Canterbury and Randwick victories.
To make it a good day for the stable all round, Loch Eagle, who won the Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick 12 months ago, returned to winning form at Eagle Farm, relishing the heavy ground to land the Open Handicap (1800m) at $8.50.
Story John Curtis, December 14, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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