Taylor declares Attackabeel an each way hope in Country Stampede Final

By Glenn Davis

Clinton Taylor has come a long way in a short time as a trainer and he hopes to ice the journey with victory from Rockhampton flyer Attackabeel in the Country Stampede Final at Doomben on Saturday.

Attackabeel – a Samantha Collett mount – has drawn perfectly in barrier two for the 1110 metre dash, which carries prize money of $105,000.

Attackabeel has started eight times this campaign, which kicked off back in May when she lost her rider Justin Stanley at Wondai.

Since then, the four-year-old mare has only had a short six week let-up and won four of her next seven starts, including recent efforts at Thangool and Gladstone.

The 36-year-old Taylor is a former jockey before weight problems ended his career.

He only started training four years ago but he is already in the top 10 trainers in the state.

His name sits alongside Group 1-winning trainers Tony Gollan, Rob Heathcote and David Vandyke but he takes his success in his stride.

“It’s good to be sitting alongside those trainers but my goal in the next five years is to be down there and training against them,” Taylor said.

So far this season, Taylor has had 72 starters for 21 wins and 31 placings for a winning strike rate of 29.2 per cent.

His record over the past 12 months is 62 winners and 82 placings from 207 starters for a winning strike rate of 30 per cent.

Taylor believes the Country Stampede Final is an open race but he’ll be pleased if weather forecasters are proven correct with a prediction of rain.

“She’s doing well and always gives 110 per cent,” Taylor said.

“I give her a great each way chance from the barrier and with her light weight.

"The weather bureau is predicting some rain so I’m hoping it comes as that will bring her further into the race.

“If we get a lot of rain, she’s unbeaten on a heavy track.”

Attackabeel was purchased at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sales by Injune cattleman Shane Mills for $10,000 and has already returned almost $82,000 in prize money.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s star filly Chinny Boom will be out to maintain her unblemished record in the Listed Mode Stakes, which is also on the program on Saturday at Doomben. 

Chinny Boom – a Ben Thompson mount – is unbeaten in five starts including a 1000 metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm on October 29 which gave Taylor his first metropolitan win as a trainer. 

“This race will answer a lot of questions whether Chinny Boom goes for a break and heads to the Brisbane winter carnival next year or she has a shorter break for the QTIS Jewel in March,” Taylor said.