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Wilson-Taylor excited for Melbourne return

29 March 2022

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By Jordan Gerrans

Star apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor has a point or two to prove in his return trip to Victoria this week.

Firstly, he wants to grab as many points as possible for his adopted home state of Queensland in the National Apprentice Race Series event at Sandown on Wednesday afternoon.

And, secondly, he is eager to show those within the racing industry in Victoria just how far he has come as a jockey in recent years.

Knocked back on two different occasions to be a part of the Victorian apprentice jockeys’ program, Wilson-Taylor eventually moved across the border to NSW to get his foot in the door.

He was told he was not up to standard to start his path towards race riding in Victoria by local officials.

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Born and raised in Melbourne, he spent time on NSW’s northern rivers before working his way further north again, up to the Darling Downs and then on to Eagle Farm in Brisbane.

The talented 22-year-old is not angry or bitter around getting passed over the Victorian program but he is keen to showcase his ability at Sandown.

“To go back to my home state where I grew up and where I was rejected from the apprentice program there a couple of times, it would be great to go back there and win the NARS,” he said.

“It would feel awesome if I was able to do that.

“I feel like I have come a long way as a rider since moving north from Victoria.

“To go back to Victoria to showcase how far I have come as a rider and how much I have learnt.

“I want to show that I have worked really hard and come along way – I am excited to represent Queensland down in Victoria.”

Wilson-Taylor is placed within the top five for the metropolitan jockey’s premiership this season, within touching distance of fellow apprentice Jaden Lloyd, who is a slot ahead in fourth.

Kelly Schweida Next Racing
Kyle Wilson-Taylor Next Racing

Shane Scriven - Racing Queensland's Senior Apprentice Coach – says the opportunity to represent Queensland in Melbourne is always highly sought after by the emerging riders.

“For any of the apprentices when they get chosen to go to Victoria, it is probably the highest in popularity, it is where they all want to go,” Scriven said.

“Kyle and Jaden Lloyd are having a hell of a ding-dong battle for the apprentices title, there is not much between them.

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“That is a great race between the two of them.

“Kyle is a perfectionist when it comes to form and I know he is already starting to ring up trainers down there and get as many rides as he can on the day.”

After recently transferring to work under Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida, Wilson-Taylor is excited to be involved in the NARS in 2022.

“It is a great initiative and it showcases all the riding talent within Australia,” Wilson-Taylor said.

“For us all to compete like we do around the country, it would be great if there was more opportunities like this for young riders.

“It gives jockeys a chance to showcase their abilities.”

Having never ridden in a race in Melbourne before, Wilson-Taylor has touched base with a number of hoops who have spent time at Sandown and believes with it being a big spacious track, he will need to save his horse for a final crack at them in the closing stages.

The series culminates at Melbourne’s Sandown on Wednesday.

Wilson-Taylor will ride the Mick Sell-trained Lovin' Laughs in the NARS race over 1400 metres on Wednesday afternoon. 

South Australia and Tasmania are the two leading hopes of claiming the NARS series for 2022 with one race leg to go. 

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