By Tony McMahon
Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor built on the armoury of his stable’s promising horses when debutante Attackabeel blew the field away at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park races last Saturday.
The two-year-old lay in ambush in third placing coming into the straight before Justin Stanley fired her up to claim the leaders and win by two-and-a-half lengths.
Ahooshu – with Nathan Day aboard - ran well for second at big odds, with another longshot in Chester’s Angel a length away in third placing.
Punters and bookmakers were forearmed about Attackabeel’s ability well before she was entered for Saturday’s 1050-metre Capricornia Yearling Sale 2YO Handicap.
On the strength of an ultra-impressive Callaghan Park barrier trial win the previous week, it came as no surprise she started a confidently backed $1.45 favourite.
Attackabeel was purchased at last year’s Magic Millions March Yearling Sale by Injune cattleman Shane Mills for $10,000, with the win earning connections $21,050.
Mills wiped back tears of joy as he greeted his filly in the winners’ stall and it later became naturally understandable.
“That was Shane’s first runner for 40 years and she won so well for him,” trainer Clinton Taylor explained.
“There isn’t much of her but she is a little street fighter, I think she is pretty smart.
“We’ll look for another start for here or at Mackay and Townsville before she spells.’’
He said that the owner had three other youngsters which were spelling who would soon come into training at his stable.
Taylor has some outstanding prospects in his table, including Bustedup and last week’s Brisbane fourth placegetter Finucane Missile.
It is believed that Attackabeel was the first Australian winner for his sire Counterattack, who was Group 1-placed in a Doomben 10,000.