The end of the Melbourne spring carnival heralds the start of a golden opportunity for Victoria's apprentice jockeys.

With the world's star riders showcasing their skills on Australian racing's biggest stage over the past couple of months, city opportunities for apprentices have been limited.

But with the visiting hoops gone and the feature races over, Melbourne's junior riders are set to be back in vogue and trainers keen to utilise their claims.

One apprentice intent on cashing in is early-season premiership pacesetter Patrick Moloney.

The 19-year-old took full advantage of a rare spring carnival opportunity when he won on Post D'France earlier this month at Flemington.

"To ride a winner in my first ride over the Melbourne Cup carnival was something that I'll cherish forever," Moloney said.

Moloney holds a top-10 spot in the Melbourne jockeys' premiership and can consolidate that position at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

He has five rides including Aregee McLaren who is favourite for the 1000m Open sprint.

He will also take his first ride for Chris Waller aboard Thubiaan in the 3000m race.

"It's pretty exciting to get a ride for such a highly regarded trainer and probably the best trainer, at this stage, in the country," Moloney said.

Moloney was born into racing.

He is the grandson of Jim Moloney, trainer of the great sprinter Vain.

His father is trainer Gerard Moloney while his uncle, John, also trains.

Moloney's first city ride was a winner at Sandown in May and he says the past six months have been a whirlwind.

That period has included an "eye-opening" trip to France where he rode trackwork for three days at Chantilly and competed in a race restricted to apprentices.

"I've exceeded my own expectations," he said.

"It has been a really good six months and hopefully I can keep that going."

Moloney also doused any concerns over his fitness after he knocked his knee coming out of the barrier in a race at Sale on Wednesday and was stood down due to stiffness and swelling.

"It was a little bit sore riding trackwork this morning but I just pushed through it," he said.