Trangie Jockey Club may be a long way from the glitz and glamour of Royal Randwick but a win at the small town course was as meaningful as any rich feature for Justin Stanley on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This time of the year has often been one where Stanley has been focused on the Country Championships Final at Randwick, a race he's contested twice in the past.
But it's not the case this year and that matters little to Stanley.
The Gold Cup at Trangie is a race that has had a meaningful impact on Stanley's life so not much could top the feeling of seeing veteran galloper Wollartant take out the event on Saturday.
It was the corresponding race five years ago when his successful jockey career came to an abrupt end.
RELATED:
Fallon Street won the 2014 cup with Stanley onboard but a few strides past the post the gelding went amiss and the injuries suffered by the jockey in the fall resulted in it being his last ride in a race.
"It doesn't matter if you're at Trangie or the Country Championships, a win is a win and it's a great feeling," Stanley said of Saturday's victory.
"I said to (partner) Fiona on the way over on Saturday it would be really nice to win this one. It's a really good feeling, especially with that old horse.
"He's a really good horse, he's honest and he's my favourite in the stable. He's a genuine old fella.
"I'm absolutely thrilled."
Since his days as a jockey came to an end, Stanley has carved out a successful career as a trainer.
Not only has he already claimed a number of high profile victories, most notably with Something Borrowed and Good Host in Country Championships heats at Dubbo, but he's become more settled and happy in his profession.
"I enjoy more than I did as a jockey, to be honest," he said of winning as a trainer.
"I feel more myself. I try to put the polish on horses and it's very rewarding when you see them have a win."
Rewarding was the feeling on Saturday, especially as 10-year-old Wollartant was ridden to victory by Asheligh Stanley.
Asheligh is Justin's half-sister and apprenticed to their father, Peter, at Bathurst.
Wollartant ($2.50 favourite) was well-ridden by Ashleigh on Saturday, getting in front and then holding off challenger Rehanaat (Tiffany Jeffries, $3) to win by a head.
The Rodney Robb-trained Rusty Motorbike (Stephane Joseph, $8) was third.
"That's one of the major wins of her career," Justin said of Ashleigh.
"She's going well and that will do her good. The more wins the better because it's a confidence thing."
The win continued Wollartant's stellar current campaign, one which has included wins in the Bedgerabong Picnic Cup and a TAB race at Wellington as well as a fourth-placed finish in the Gilgandra Cup.
Stanley finished the meeting with a double as Incision returned to form and took out the Aaron Pearce Transport and Seed Cleaning and Think Water Out West Benchmark 50 Handicap (800m).
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our daily newsletter here:
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
