Beware of the young guns who have no fear and have nothing to lose.
Of course they are up against it when they tackle quality horses trained by top Group 1 winning trainers ridden by some of the best jockeys in the land, but the old adage of ‘if you have got a ticket, you have got a chance’ applies and that is exactly the mentality that co-trainer Maddy Sears and apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor will take into the Group 1 Queensland Derby with the runner Red Wave at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
For Maddy Sears, who co-trains Red Wave with her dad Tony Sears, it all translates into a very special occasion for a horse that has a very special place in her heart.
When Red Wave won his Maiden at Ipswich on July 30, 2021, it was an incredibly emotional moment for Sears and, as the tears flowed, she explained why that was.
“He (Red Wave) is a half-brother to a very special filly of mine, Exondabeach … that is why I was so emotional after the race … because I lost her, so for him to win like that was really overwhelming for me.”
Exondabeach (Tycoon Ruler – Sandy Shore) won her first two starts early in 2000 before finishing unplaced, as favourite, behind the Odyssey in The Jewel Prelude. She then sadly was injured out in the paddock when being spelled and could not be saved.
And Sears love affair with Red Wave has known no bounds since then.
Now, ten runs after that Maiden win, Red Wave has earned his right to face the starter in the Group 1 Queensland Derby.
Red Wave has finished in the first three places in no less than seven of those ten runs, meaning that, on consistency alone, he is worth a second glance, even at the price of $61 which is currently on offer about his chances. Granted, it is a huge up in class for the son of Red Dazzler.
And make no mistake … if vocal encouragement from the grandstand helps a horse get to the line … Red Wave is in the pound seats. Sears love for the horse is matched by the unbridled enthusiasm and passion she displays when vocalising her support during the run which is always great to see.
By the way, Sears not only co-trains Red Wave, but she also co-owns the horse with their great stable client Janelle Webster. To train and own a Derby winner would be no small feat for anyone, let alone one as early into her career as Sears.
For Kyle-Wilson Taylor, who has the distinction of being the only apprentice in the Derby line-up, it will also be a memorable race whatever the result … your first Group 1 ride always is.
Wilson-Taylor’s story from hardship, to hard work to coming out the other side with a solid, focussed, professional and well respected outlook, and finding reward for his effort, has been well documented.
A win on Red Wave would take his story to fairy-tale proportions … although some will say that by bumping shoulders with the likes Hugh Bowman, Brenton Avdulla and Jamie Kah, amongst others, in the Derby, his story is already at that level.
So, this is a big day out for the young gun team of Maddy Sears and Kyle Wilson-Taylor in both of their first official engagements at the elite level of racing.
You can look for the yellow silks and the black cap to see how they are travelling, or just listen to the roar from the crowd.
If Maddy Sears wins that contest, you know the horse is home … or at least finishing in the top five … a result which Sears has said she make her very, very happy indeed.
