After a false start last week, boom apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor notched his breakthrough Saturday city success at Doomben on Saturday aboard the Michael Nolan-trained Hinged.
Wilson-Taylor has risen through the ranks in Toowoomba under the tutelage of Lindsay Hatch, who also mentored Baylee Nothdurft before he switched to Tony Gollan for his premiership winning season.
Wilson-Taylor is widely regarded as the most promising young rider in Queensland and a number of stables have booked his services over the past two weeks.
Hinged was sent out at an odds-on quote and while the young rider described it as one of the easier sits he’s had in his short career, it was still a moment he will remember for some time.
“It’s a huge thrill. Something I’ve dreamt about my whole life,” he said.
“I want to ride as many winners as possible and continue to build my contacts.”
Wilson-Taylor paid tribute to Hatch and his family for where his career is to this point.
“He continues to hold me back in certain things and he’s always there to keep me grounded, which I’m very thankful for,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here without all the hard work he’s put in.
“I haven’t been the easiest to deal with, but I wouldn’t be here without him and his amazing family.”
Hinged has had a terrific two-year-old season, winning five of her seven starts for Nolan and owner-breeder Kim McCasker.
“She’s been a good filly to train from the start and we’ve never had any issues with her,” Nolan said.
“She’s getting better with racing and learning her craft a bit better.”
Nolan said he would not look to the Toowoomba Guineas on Weetwood Day, which will be run in September again this year.
In the following event, Rikki Palmer gave her rivals a lesson when she took control on $21 shot Zigallene, leading throughout for an upset win.
Palmer said Zigalene is best when allowed to do things on her own in front, otherwise she “throws her toys out the cot.”
In a wipeout for punters in the eight horse field, the two rank outsiders filled the quinella, with Safin ($26) running second.
