A jubilant Steph Thornton returns to scale aboard Roseberry Street (Image: MVRC)
Apprentice Steph Thornton grasped a big opportunity on the first day of summer, striking it hot with three winners and a second at Moonee Valley.
The 18-year-old booted home each of Camila Lucinda, Roseberry Street and Belwazi, and also ran second aboard Considering, to take her career tally of Melbourne metro wins to seven, having broken through for her first at Sandown in late July (Miss It And A Bit).
WATCH: Thornton's seamless ride on Belwazi
Trainer Shea Eden, for whom Thornton rode one winner (Roseberry Street) and one second (Considering), heaped praise on the apprentice.
"Steph's riding really well. Like Nikita [Beriman], she's doing a lot of work back home," Eden said.
"I'm very grateful for their help.
"And it's nice to be able to come here and give her a city win.
"I'm very fortunate at Cranbourne to have the support of someone like Nikita, and then an up-and-coming apprentice like Steph.
"It's nice to give them good rides when you can, and we were a little bit stiff in the first with Considering, but I thought she rode it really well from the outside gate, and she gave this mare [Roseberry Street] a really good ride as well.
"Full credit to Steph - she rode her exactly how I asked her to ride it from the barrier.
"This mare has the ability to lead if we wanted to, but I think she's best if she has something to chase."
Thornton was naturally thrilled to bring her talents to town and dominate the Friday night card.
WATCH: Thornton after sealing the treble