Apprentice jockey Bailey Kinninmont is aiming to build on his recent city success with a strong performance at Flemington, the home of the Melbourne Cup.

The 28-year-old rider is set to make his Flemington debut this Saturday, partnering Lake Vostok in the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Final, a 1600-metre race.

Kinninmont achieved his first metropolitan victory aboard Silent Shares, trained by Gavin Bedggood, at Sandown on Wednesday. He is now looking forward to riding Lake Vostok, prepared by Luke Oliver, in Saturday’s contest.

Last year, the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Final was won by Rose Hammond aboard Lake Vostok. Hammond is scheduled to ride Impending Shadow this coming Saturday.

Kinninmont, who comes from a family with deep racing connections, grew up in Perth. His father, a former jockey, now holds the position of ‘Racing Control Manager’ for the Hong Kong Jockey Club at Conghua Racecourse in China, while his mother, Kelly, is employed by Simon Miller in Perth.

Kinninmont stated he didn’t consider riding until he turned 18. He was then sent to Melbourne, where he worked with Julien Welsh and Mick Kent before earning his apprenticeship.

The majority of his 44 career wins, precisely 11, have been achieved with trainer Luke Oliver.

“Mick Kent is my boss, but Luke is probably my biggest supporter,” Kinninmont said. “He throws me on everything, and I ride a lot of work for him, so he’s almost a second boss and hopefully we can repay the faith.”

While Kinninmont has not yet raced Lake Vostok, he was involved in all of the mare’s jump-outs leading up to her first-up seventh at Flemington on June 20.

“She’s going great,” Kinninmont said. “I’ve had a lot to do with her the whole way through but couldn’t ride her first-up as I couldn’t ride in town, but she’s definitely improved on the first-up run and I think she goes in with a real winning chance.”

“I think she’s an open class mare, building through the grades, so she’s been unlucky not to have won a few more.”

Kinninmont’s birthday is on Sunday, and his family is travelling to Melbourne to celebrate the occasion with him.

“Dad is coming over from China, Mum from Perth, brother, cousins, uncles,” he shared. “It’s my birthday on Sunday and that’s why they’re all coming over, but the race just so happens to be the day before, so that would be a nice present.”

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