Clinton Taylor content with country racing for time being

By Glenn Davis

Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor has had his taste of success in the big smoke but he hasn’t forgotten where it all started and will make the long road trip to Townsville on Saturday with just two starters.

Taylor hopes to one day make the move to train in Brisbane but for the time being is content to stay in Central Queensland until the time is right to move south.

Taylor will truck Zipping Irish to Cluden Park to tackle the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1300 metres while Peggie Boom lines up in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 1000 metres on debut. 

Both will be ridden by Taylor’s close friend Justin Stanley.

Taylor had also nominated stable mates Betterdeel and She’s Winning in the QTIS Three-Year-Old race but elected not to start the pair.

Taylor claimed his first metropolitan win with star filly Chinny Boom at Eagle Farm in October before the daughter of Spirit Of Boom went down a whisker to the Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted-trained Stroll in the Listed Mode Stakes at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Chinny Boom went into her first stakes race unbeaten in five starts and was stepping up to 1200 metres for the first time.

Taylor has since spelled Chinny Boom who he hopes will return for the Queensland winter carnival next year.

In Townsville, Taylor has given punters a lead preferring to run Zipping Irish over stable mates Betterdeel and She’s Winning.

Zipping Irish has started nine times for two wins and six placings and is coming off a close fourth to Valtino in a 1300 metre Three-Year-Old race at Rockhampton on November 17.

“I bought her for $20,000 at the Capricorn sales and she’s as honest as they come,” he said.

“She’s only tiny but she’s all heart.

“Her last run was terrific considering she carried a big weight with 59kgs which was 2.5kgs more than the winner.”

The QTIS Three-Year-Old race on Saturday has attracted a small field of six starters including the Lindsay Hatch-trained Baby Guinness.

Lacey Morrison will ride Baby Guinness for Hatch who is yet to open his account with his new satellite stable in Townsville.

Baby Guinness had his first start for Hatch finishing a close fourth against her own age at Townsville last month and has taken further improvement following her first run since April.