Stanley set to build on premiership lead

By Glenn Davis

Popular jockey Justin Stanley has no intentions of slowing down and is a short-priced favourite to claim another Queensland jockeys’ premiership this season.

The 44-year-old Stanley heads to Thangool in Central Queensland on Tuesday after Don'tdoubthelady - his only ride at Eagle Farm on Saturday - was well beaten in the Listed Show A Heart.

The Deagon-based Stanley is one of racing’s journeymen and currently leads the Queensland jockeys’ premiership with 119 wins, well clear of the second-placed Ryan Wiggins on 92 wins.

He also leads the Queensland provincial premiership race with 71 wins with Jace McMurray his nearest rival on 45 wins.

Stanley, who has previously won both titles, has never contemplated retirement and is happy to continue riding.

“I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career, which I don’t like talking about, but retirement has never crossed my mind,” Stanley said.

Stanley could have ridden anywhere in the state on Saturday but stayed loyal to his close friend, Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor to ride Don'tdoubthelady who finished 10th to the Kelly Schweida-trained Sunrays in the Show A Heart.

He has five rides at Thangool and will team up again with Taylor aboard Papasito in the Open Handicap and Gangitano in the Benchmark 65 Handicap.

Papasito could not complete a hat-trick of wins last start when fifth to Parade Ground in a 1400 metre Benchmark race at Rockhampton on May 22.

“Forget his last run as he goes well and he’s a good chance,” Stanley said.

“He prefers to lead, which he couldn’t do last run, and if leads in this he’ll be hard to beat.”

Taylor is double handed in the Open Handicap with jockey Ashley Butler riding Diddley Squat.

Former Victorian Diddley Squat hasn’t put a foot wrong since moving to Taylor. 

The galloper has missed a place only once in nine starts.

A son of Japanese-bred sire Mikki Isle, Diddley Squat has won twice including his last start victory in a 1200 metre Open Handicap at Callaghan Park on May 13.