Jett Stanley ended his apprenticeship on a high, steering The Instructor to a narrow win in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team.

Racing prominently from the jump, The Instructor ($4.60) held his rivals at bay to score by a nose over War Machine ($2.50), with Hedged ($4.20) third in a tight finish.

It was Stanley’s final day as an apprentice, and his unbeaten record aboard the sprinter remains intact following their previous success at Moonee Valley.

“I know it’s not the biggest race of the day, or the year, but for me it means a lot, especially winning for Gai and Adrian who have supported me very much,” Stanley said.

“I thought I was going to lose the ride as Gai doesn’t put apprentices on in Stakes races when they can’t claim.

“I had to convince her. It is my last day as an apprentice as I’ll be a senior the next day.

“I had done all the work, and she stuck solid and has stuck solid throughout.

“I’ve had nine rides for her this week, that racks up win number two with five placings as well.”

Stanley, son of former Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Brent Stanley, has played a key role in The Instructor’s preparations by riding the quirky horse in trackwork regularly.

“This horse is very quirky, but I’ve been able to go in twice a week and gallop him and get him on song and ready for today,” he said.

“He likes to go above himself because he knows he’s got the ability.

“It’s a huge thrill.”

He credited his rail-hugging tactics for the win, noting it was a strategy that worked perfectly at Moonee Valley as well.

“That’s how he won it at Moonee Valley last time by railing and quickening around the tight corners which horses can rarely do,” Stanley said.

“He just does it and he’s able to do it and put that little margin on them and that can be hard to catch back and that’s where I knew where I had it won.”

Stanley’s last ride as an apprentice came aboard Flying Mikki in the Cleanaway Handicap (1200m), where they ran fourth.