The Barber delivers for Taylor

By Glenn Davis

Rockhampton’s Alisha Taylor landed the biggest win of her short training career when The Barber scored a memorable win in the $100,000 QTIS 2YO Classic at Townsville on Saturday.

Ridden by Ryan Wiggins, The Barber settled in third place and was under hard riding coming to the home turn before hauling in tearaway leader Better Blitzem for a dominant win.

It was easily the biggest win of the 34-year-old’s career since she began training in September last year.

“It was surreal,” Taylor said.

"We were cheering so loudly I think we lifted the grandstand when he crossed the line."

The Barber was initially prepared by former Rockhampton trainer Shane Sigvart before having his first start for Taylor and has now won two of his three appearances.

“He started off with Shane, but when he retired from training, the syndicate which owns him, One Syndications, transferred him to me,” Taylor said.

"He’s got quite a few owners and one of them, Glen King, made the trip up from Sydney to watch him win."

“Glen is my husband’s best mate and we were all pretty vocal.”

Taylor’s husband, former Rockhampton trainer Jared Wehlow, now works as foreman for the stable since quitting training to work in the mines.

“Jared hasn’t been well and has been in and out of hospital for the past nine months,” Taylor said.

“He’s had a gut problem and the doctors can’t pinpoint the cause.”

Taylor and Wehlow have a daughter, Chloe, who turns nine this week.

“We’re married, but I just decided to keep my surname. There was too much paperwork involved to change it,” she quipped.

Taylor is also the daughter of Caloundra trainer Garnett Taylor, to whom she was apprenticed during her riding days, and the sister of premier Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor.

She quit riding about a decade ago after a serious fall.

Taylor has made a big mark on Queensland’s training ranks in her first season and has a 28% strike-rate with 12 wins from 42 starters.

Taylor was always confident The Barber was a serious contender for the 2YO Classic following his runner-up finish in Mackay last month.

But, despite the win, Taylor has ruled out The Barber progressing to the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival. 

“I think he’ll make an even better three-year-old, so he’ll be going for a spell now,” Taylor said.

“I think three races as a two-year-old is enough and he needs to mature a bit more.”