Stanford to spend winter with Australian legend Waterhouse

Up-and-coming apprentice Lulu Stanford has taken her last domestic ride of the year and is off to spend the winter in Australia with top trainer Gai Waterhouse.

The 5lb claimer, who has 37 career wins to her name, is currently attached to the Michael Bell stable but will be unattached on her return to Britain next spring.

Stanford, daughter of Newmarket trainer Eugene, has struck up a good relationship with the Bell-trained Maori Bob in recent weeks winning four races on the gelding, most recently at Leicester last month.

Speaking at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales, the 19-year-old said: "I'm off to Australia on October 10 to spend the winter with Gai Waterhouse where I will mainly be riding barrier trials to gain some valuable experience.

"I'm greatly looking forward to it and I'm sure it will be a wonderful few months and thanks to Michael Bell for setting it up for me.

"I have only a few winners until I'm down to claiming 3lb so I wanted to hang on to it for a while before kicking on next year."

Regarding her plans on her return, she said: "Michael Bell has been tremendous but I feel it's time to explore other opportunities and expand my knowledge of contacts.

"I'll be riding out for different people in the spring and see if I can give it a real push next year when hopefully I'll be much improved after my spell in Australia."

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