He debuted at Kununurra in WA in August, and now Tweed Heads-based jockey Chris Taylor will make his first Darwin appearance on Saturday.
Taylor, who started his career in South Africa, has four rides at Fannie Bay and will partner Dick Leech’s stablemates Envenomate, Boomerconi and Miracoli, as well as Patrick Johnston’s Ankle Rolex.
Taylor strives to join a long list of fellow interstate riders who have tasted success when visiting the NT for the first time.
The form guide suggests that Miracoli and Ankle Rolex are his best hopes.
“I’m riding a few horses for Phil Brittain in Darwin,” he said.
“I met Phil at Kununurra and did some trackwork for him and Chris Pollard while I was over there, and they said to give them a bell if ever I wanted to ride in Darwin.
“I thought I’d give it a go up that way, it’s just a new experience and if I get a winner happy days.
“I haven’t gone through the form properly yet, but the rides look competitive enough.”
Pollard was training Brittain’s horses with Leech serving a suspension, but Leech made his return at Fannie Bay a fortnight ago.
Having the opportunity to ride in south-east Queensland and northern NSW during the week, Taylor featured at Kununurra after replying to an advert on Facebook.
He had four wins at the Kununurra meetings on August 24 and 31, which included a double for prominent NT trainer Kerry Petrick.
“I always want to travel and try new places, I’m more than happy to ride wherever as long as there’s chances,” Taylor said.
“I lived in Dubai for seven years, so the Darwin conditions won’t be a problem.
“I’m no stranger to dirt racing, and Fannie Bay looks like a nicely designed track.”
Taylor, 45, arrived in Australia in December 2016, and with visa issues restricting him to trackwork, he finally got his first race start at the Gold Coast in January 2018.
He completed his apprenticeship in South Africa in the late 1990s before moving to Dubai in the early 2000s where he rode the Middle Eastern circuit.
After also riding in Korea and Zimbabwe, Taylor returned to South Africa and all was going well until his neighbour was hijacked, which prompted the move to Australia.
“Heading to Darwin is less travelling time to some of the tracks I’ve been going to in Queensland,” he said.
“Some of the trips I have been doing of late have been five, six or seven hours in the car.
“Just drive to the airport and relax on the plane for four hours.”
Horse racing news
