Alisha Taylor targets Mackay Cup glory

By Glenn Davis

Former champion Rockhampton apprentice Alisha Taylor is less than a year into her fledgling training career and already she’s turned heads.

The 34-year-old Taylor is the daughter of Caloundra trainer Garnett Taylor, to whom she was apprenticed.

After retiring from the saddle, she began training 10 months ago and was quick off the blocks to be in the winner’s stall.

She claimed her biggest win when The Barber won the $100,000 QTIS 2YO Classic at Townsville last month.

A mother to nine-year-old daughter Chloe, Taylor has built an impressive strike-rate of 28% with 17 wins from only 59 starters.

Taylor’s first winner was with Pepperdine, who won for her at Mackay in September of last year.

Pepperdine will attempt to give her another career highlight when the six-year-old tackles the $150,000 Mackay Cup on Saturday.

Pepperdine is coming off a last start sixth behind the David Vandyke-trained Keitel in the Rockhampton Cup on July 11.

A son of Pierro, Pepperdine gained a golden ticket into the Rockhampton Cup by winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup at his previous start at Rockhampton in the middle of June.

“He’s been racing well, but they went quick in the 'Rocky' Cup and he was caught three deep,” Taylor said.

“He’s ready for the step up in trip to 2000 metres and pulled up well after the 'Rocky' Cup.”

Pepperdine has started only nine times since joining Taylor’s stables and has won on four occasions. 

He has started three times over the Mackay Cup trip of 2000 metres and beyond including two runs for Taylor’s husband, former trainer Jared Wehlow, who took him to Brisbane in late 2024.

Pepperdine, who is part-owned by Wehlow, finished a close fourth in a Benchmark race over 2000 metres at Doomben in October that year and followed up with a sixth over 2200 metres at Doomben two weeks later.

Taylor believes Pepperdine is looking for further ground following his defeat in the 1600 metre Rockhampton Cup.

“I don’t think 2000 metres will be an issue for him,” she said.

“It looks a reasonably strong race again with the 'Rocky' Cup winner Keitel and Quothquan in it.

“I think Pepperdine is a good chance and if he wins it’ll be my biggest win so far."