Mackinnon making her mark after first season training

By Glenn Davis

As her first season training in her own right draws to a close, Caloundra’s Taylah Mackinnon is happy with her progress as she makes her mark among the state’s training ranks.

Taylah keeps a small team of around eight to 10 horses in work most times of the year and from just 63 starters this season is striking at nearly 10%. 

“I’m happy with the way things are going but I’d like to get some more quality horses,” Taylah said.

“There’s always room for improvement. Mum and Dad are still a massive help around the stables and all my horses are at Dad’s stables just around the corner from the Caloundra track.”

Dad, of course, is retired trainer Stewart Mackinnon who has been in the racing game for nearly half-a-century after a long and successful association as foreman for the late Bruce McLachlan before branching out on his own.

Taylah started off in racing working for leading Sunshine Coast conditioners Stuart Kendrick and Darryl Hansen before beginning a training partnership with her father for 18 months.

“It was great working with Dad, but he’s always wanted to retire so I started on my own at the start of the season,” Taylah said.

“Since I went out on my own, Dad still works around the stables and drives the truck, but he hasn’t had a day off since he retired."

Taylah claimed her first city winner since going solo when Ring Bearer won at Eagle Farm in March.

She heads to Gatton on Thursday hoping to boost her strike-rate with Fly Fifer in the Class 2 Handicap over 1400 metres.

Fly Fifer has started 15 times for two wins and five placings. 

The galloper is having her first start since finishing second to the Mark Palmer-trained Birmingham in an 1800 metre Benchmark race on the Sunshine Coast Polytrack on March 30.

Claiming apprentice Kayla Johnston is booked to ride the four-year-old daughter of Showtime.

“This will be Kayla’s first race ride on Fly Fifer, but she rides her in all her work and knows her well,” Taylah said.

“I gave Fly Fifer a quiet barrier trial recently and she worked home well.

“The main query with her is going to 1400 metres first-up and whether she’s forward enough as she missed her second trial because of the weather.

“Her work has been very good. She likes Gatton and she jumps well and puts herself in her races.”