Expect to see a lot more of apprentice Boris Thornton in the Melbourne metropolitan area after a welcome win at Sandown.

Victory aboard Lola Lu in Wednesday's Catanach's Jewellers Handicap was his first Melbourne city winner since guiding Crafty Cruiser to victory at Flemington in June 2015.

Thornton was an apprentice in Tasmania, but a knee reconstruction in June prompted his return to Geelong where he is indentured to his father Glenn.

He said he injured his knee as a younger rider but decided to put off surgery.

Scar tissue was holding the knee together until a horse shied and his knee collapsed underneath him.

After undergoing an operation, Thornton was back riding in less than six months.

"The surgeon didn't approve it but I felt I was ready to go, so I went for it," Thornton said.

"It hasn't worried me since."

Thornton still rides in Tasmania, but flies in and out for their meetings and is looking to establish himself in Melbourne.

"It's terrific to get this winner today. I've only ridden one city winner before which was quite a while ago," the 19 year-old said.

Thornton said he had struggled with his weight for 12 months but has now got that under control.

He said he rides comfortably at 56kg and for a good ride will put in the work to get down to 55kg.