Logan Bates ticked off a milestone day at Cranbourne on Thursday, celebrating his first winner in the saddle.

Bates beat his fellow apprentices when he guided the Cindy Alderson-trained Gabstar to victory in the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Race and understandably enjoyed that winning feeling.

"It was pretty satisfying, it was," Bates said.

"It's great to have Dad on course, I'm sure Mum's watching back over home in New Zealand. It's great to do it for Cindy, she's stuck by me for about four, five years now, got me to where I am.

"I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for her."

Bates explained that a career as a jockey wasn't always on the cards for him.

"I worked in greyhounds and drove trotters for a bit, not professionally and then did a little bit of carpentry," he explained.

"Once the opportunity arose for me to move over to Melbourne and become an apprentice, it was pretty hard to turn up really."

WATCH: Bates breaks his maiden tag

Credit: Racing.com https://www.racing.com/news/2023-09-21/news-review-bates-hollowood-break-through