Some local jockeys will envy New Zealander Craig Thornton even if he fails to win Sunday's Grand National Hurdle at Sandown aboard Indikator.

The Victorian Jockeys' Association renewed its push earlier this week to allow riders to apply for dual licences to work in other sectors of the industry while retaining their riding permits.

New Zealand allows dual licences, which enabled Thornton to reapply for his jockey's licence after spending a lengthy period out of the saddle to focus on building his training business.

"I came out of retirement last year and I hadn't ridden in eight years," Thornton said.

"I'm still training and that's primarily what I'm doing."

The 47-year-old reapplied for his jumps jockey's licence to ride a promising horse he trained named The Nemesis but Gai Waterhouse bought the gelding as part of her foray into hurdle racing.

Thornton has since formed a strong partnership with the Keith and Craig Opie-trained Indikator, steering the 10-year-old to three wins from as many hurdle starts to add to the gelding's four Rotorua Cup wins on the flat.

Local star Gotta Take Care will start a short-priced favourite to win the Grand National Hurdle after his strong second to Marksmanship at Caulfield last Saturday but Indikator finished immediately behind him.

Thornton says he is aware of Gotta Take Care's ability and the fact Indikator's inexperience over jumps could be a disadvantage in the $200,000 event but the Warrnambool win of fellow Kiwi Sea King provided a strong form reference.

"His opposition is more experienced than he is. My bloke has only had three hurdle races in his life but he has done what we have asked of him," Thornton said.

"Our horses seem to go to Australia and measure up. Sea King went over and measured up so I would think Indikator would be competitive taking a line through Sea King's performance."

Thornton has ridden at Sandown previously but will inspect the track when he arrives in Melbourne on Saturday.