KYLE WILSON-TAYLOR WILL PARTNER WEONA SMARTONE IN A GROUP 3 CONTEST IN SYDNEY ON EVEREST DAY

By Graham Potter | Thursday, October 13, 2022

A week ago, he was kicking his heels as the awaited the end of his suspension … now he is licking his lips at the prospect of chasing a Group 3 race win in Sydney on Everest race-day.

It’s already been a big week for Kyle Wilson-Taylor after that period of frustration when he was sidelined with suspensions he had accumulated which kept him out of race riding from September 12 until his returned last Saturday (with a winner) … and it could get bigger still.

While those suspensions also brought a touch of relief in that it temporarily released the pressure valve of competition which Wilson-Taylor tackles with admirable intensity and commitment … not to mention the demands he places on himself … the lengthy ‘time-out’ felt like an eternity for the young jockey who just wants to ride.

When he attended the Racing Queensland Awards function on Sunday night, Wilson-Taylor could reflect with plenty of pride and pleasure at his achievements thus far which saw him receive two notable awards … the Metropolitan Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership and the Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice Of The Year.

It was at that Awards function that a conversation led to big change in direction in his plans for this Saturday.

“I was at the Awards night and obviously David (Vandyke) was there with the connections of Gypsy Goddess (who received the Queensland Three-Year-Old Horse Of The Year title” said Wilson-Taylor, taking up the story.

‘Mr Jones (part-owner of Gypsy Goddess and Wenona Smartone, amongst others) just said to me what was I doing on Saturday? I said I assume I’m riding, and he said, would you go to Sydney?”

The offer was to ride the David Vandyke trained Wenona Smartone, who has won nine times from twelve starts, in the $2 million Group 3 Sydney Stakes and Wilson-Taylor needed no second asking.

“I didn’t see it coming. It was a surprise,” admitted Wilson-Taylor.

“I can’t wait. I haven’t ridden in Sydney yet and to do it in such a big race on such a big day it is going to be exciting.

‘I was pumped, you know. It is a horse I have only had one ride on for a win.

“He likes a wet track. It is definitely going to be his toughest race yet, but I think he is going to be competitive, and I can’t thank David, his team and the connections enough.

“The Vandyke stable has been nothing but amazing to me since I first started riding for them and David continues to back me.

"Saturday is just another example of the support they show me. I am very grateful for that.”

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