Taylor and Stanley looking for a big day out at Yeppoon

By Glenn Davis

If statistics are a reliable guide, trainer Clinton Taylor and jockey Justin Stanley are set for another big day out at Yeppoon on Tuesday.

Taylor and Stanley have been close friends for a number of years and have forged a fearful combination in Central Queensland over the past few seasons.

Brisbane-based Stanley’s strike rate stands at an amazing 46 wins from 166 rides for the Taylor stable.

Taylor also has kicked off the new season in fine style striking at 24 per cent with six wins from 25 starters since August 1.

He finished last season with a 25.8 per cent strike rate with 67 wins from 260 starters.

“Justin has been riding well and he’s my stable rider, so he gets the pick of them,” Taylor said.

Taylor will be looking for a belated birthday present when he heads to Yeppoon with six starters of which Stanley will ride all bar one.

Taylor, who turned 40 on Sunday, declared Hellish and Moet At Midnight as the stable’s two best hopes while he warned punters about Kick On Command’s prospects in the Open Handicap.

Kick On Command won over 1500 and 1800 metres at Rockhampton and Mackay in July before he stepped up to 2000 metres for the first time when sixth to Tasmanian galloper Hype in the Mackay Cup on August 10.

“Kick On Command is back in distance to 1400 metres after a let-up and he’ll probably need the run as it’s probably not his right trip,” Taylor said.

Taylor was more confident Hellish could complete a hat-trick of wins in the Benchmark 65 Handicap while he was hopeful of a successful stable debut from Moet At Midnight in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden.

“Moet At Midnight came from Barry Lockwood’s stable in Brisbane and is having his first run for me and is one of the best chances,” Taylor said.

A son of The Mission, Moet At Midnight has been placed in three of his nine starts including a last start third in a 1350-metre maiden at Ipswich on August 23.

Hellish won a Class 1 on a heavy track at Rockhampton on August 15 and made it two wins from three starts for the stable in a 1300-metre Class 3 at Callaghan Park on August 29.

“I got him for $12,000 at an Inglis online auction when he was put up for sale by Danny O’Brien in Victoria,” Taylor said.

“He’s won his past two starts at Rockhampton and he’s probably my best chance on the day.”