Ronald Simpson’s journey from a novice to a professional jockey goes up a gear on Tuesday when he makes his debut at Dubbo Turf Club’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
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Simpson, apprenticed to Justin Stanley, will have his first ride when he pilots Prattler for the Dubbo trainer in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (1200m).
He will also have two rides for Stanley’s fellow local trainer Connie Greig at the five-race non-TAB meeting.
“He’s a good, focused kid and he’s very determined and just a good worker,” Stanley said.
“He listens well and he rides really well for the stage he’s at. He’s got a bright future if all goes to plan for him.”
Simpson has been working with Stanley for the best part of two years and has had more than 20 trials in recent times.
He’s got a bright future if all goes to plan for him.
- Justin Stanley on Ronald Simpson
His trainer said the young hoop had a pretty “basic” style when he arrived at his stables but since then he’s gone from strength to strength.
Simpson has ridden Prattler in trials this year, the most recent resulting in a second-placed finish at Mudgee, and Stanley wants him to just do the same again on Tuesday.
“It could suit him (Prattler) with a bit of rain around and he’s well back in grade but there is three of Prattler so we don’t know which one will turn up,” Stanley laughed.
“But he’s a front-running horse and Ronny has ridden him in trials well and he’ll be nervous tomorrow morning but I’ll just tell him to treat it like the trials and he’ll be right.”
Simpson will also ride Bel Attrait in the Class 2 Plate (1400m) and Butterfly Sky in the Benchmark 48 Handicap (1400m) for Greig.
“It’s going to be a nice day for him,” Stanley added.
Racing at Dubbo’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting starts at 1.55pm with a host of on and off-field activities for racegoers.