Apprentice hoop taken under the wing of the Thornton clan

By Jordan Gerrans

For an apprentice jockey aiming to improve their riding skills and learn from those that have done it themselves in the saddle, the Thornton stable on the Gold Coast might just be one of the best going.

While trainer Glenn Thornton is happy to pass on his own words of advice and work with an emerging hoop on the mechanical horse, it is also Glenn’s children who can chip in with a comment or two, as well. 

Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen reckons she has landed at the perfect place to improve herself as a jockey.

The former Canberra-based youngster has recently relocated to the Sunshine State and is now indentured to Glenn at the Gold Coast.

Glenn of course also has three children who have ridden at Group level throughout their careers: Boris, Stephanie and Damien.

After a slight mishap in her first foray into Queensland racing, Wedrat-Kroezen gets her maiden crack at TAB level riding in the state at Gatton on Tuesday afternoon.

The 20-year-old arrives at her new adventure with an attitude and determination around learning from the entire Thornton clan and bettering her skills in the saddle.

“Glenn has been really supportive, as have his kids who are always giving me tips on how I can improve on race day,” Wedrat-Kroezen said.

“They talk to me about my positioning, using the whip and just overall trying to help me improve.

“All the Thorntons are great riders and they have all been good to me, Steph comes in even though she is pregnant and gives me pointers.

“Boris and Damien have been big helps, as well.”

The young rider previously worked for Norm Gardner at Canberra before recently completing a short loan spell with Ballina trainer Stephen Lee.

Wedrat-Kroezen has done the majority of her riding in her career at the nation’s capital and in country NSW before heading to Injune in Queensland for her maiden rides north of the border earlier this year.

She had 13 winners to her name before relocating to the Sunshine State.

Gardner spoke highly of Wedrat-Kroezen in the early stages of her riding tenure when she was kicking off her career in the middle of last year.

‘’Rochelle has been with me for a couple of years and is a very, very keen young rider,’’ Gardner said at the time.

‘’She tries her best and she’s enthusiastic. She drives all the jockeys mad asking them questions and trying to improve herself. Her attitude is first class.

“If hard work means anything she’ll make it. With a few more rides under her belt, I think she’ll go pretty good.”

The three-kilogram claimer on the country TAB circuit has been blown away by the efforts of her new master since she landed on the Gold Coast, working closely with Glenn on the mechanical horse.

“He wants to see me succeed and has been able to give me a little bit more support and help,” the apprentice said.

“In my time off I have got a lot of guidance from the entire family so hopefully I can look a lot sharper on Tuesday when I return to the races.”

Wedrat-Kroezen had her first race rides in Queensland at Injune in the middle of June when she was still on loan to Lee.

While it was a fruitful trip to the bush – she rode a winner from her two rides – the young hoop had a fall at the Downs Country Racing Association club that has put her on the sidelines since.

The newcomer to Queensland praised Chinchilla trainer Leonard Mawn and his family for their efforts in helping her at the Injune track following her fall.

After working through her physical rehabilitation, she is set to return on Tuesday at Lockyer Valley Turf Club.

Wedrat-Kroezen will take one ride for her boss -  Lolarosie – in Benchmark 58 Handicap grade over 1400 metres.

“The barrier is not ideal as she is a leader but she has a fair bit of gate speed,” the apprentice rider said.

“Hopefully I can get to the front or just sit off. Her previous runs have not been the best but I have high hopes that Gatton will be the right race for her.

“She is in the right kind of race and with my claim, that will help as well. She is not carrying heaps of weight.”

Wedrat-Kroezen is hopeful of securing her provincial riding licence in the near future to be able to ride at the Gold Coast on a Saturday.