Two of Victoria’s most talented young riders will battle it out for the coveted Rising Stars award at Flemington on Saturday.

Stephanie Thornton will carry a four-point lead over fellow teenager Ethan Brown into the final leg of the apprentice-only series.

The Rising Stars Series started at Warrnambool on August 1 last year and has featured 23 races across Victoria.

The final event, a Benchmark 84 over 1700m for fillies and mares, has 12 points available for a win.

Thornton is currently leading the way on 57 points from Brown on 53 points.

Thornton is booked for So Splendid, her first ever ride for Chris Waller, while Ethan Brown teams with Darren Weir on Ma Jones.

So Splendid won at Sandown in January whilst Ma Jones’ last victory came more than a year ago at Caulfield.

So Splendid has also been placed at her last two starts and Thornton is hopeful her first ride for Waller can be a winning one.

“I’m really looking forward to the final. It’s very tight at the top at the standings so it should be an exciting finish,” Thornotn said.

“I just need to finish in front of Ethan, I’m sure I’ll be looking out for him but I can’t concentrate on what he’s doing - I just need to ride my own race.

“So Splendid has shown some really good form coming into the race, her two recent runs in Sydney have both been promising so I think I’m on the right horse.”

Brown has formed a potent partnership with Weir this season and carries momentum into the Flemington finale having closed the gap on Thornton in the penultimate leg of the Rising Stars Series at Bendigo on July 6 when he collected six points.

Brown has ridden Ma Jones on three previous occasions with a third place at Flemington in February his best effort.

Ben Thompson is assured of third place in the series but cannot ride in the finale, having become a senior jockey after outriding his apprentice’s claim earlier in the season.

The #final will see young riders Harry Grace (Fair And Equitable for trainer Ken Keys) and Rose Pearson (Street Spun for trainer David Brideoake) both riding at Flemington for the first time in their fledgling careers.

Previous winners included Blake Shinn, Craig Newitt and Nick Hall and in more recent years Jye McNeil, Regan Bayliss and Beau Mertens.