Taylor has inside running in Rockhampton Final

By Pat McLeod

Experienced Central Queensland trainer Darren Taylor may have the inside running in Wednesday night’s Rockhampton Young Guns Final, but he is reluctant to forecast a winning outcome.

“This Young Guns field is exceptional,” the Bouldercombe conditioner explains.

“It is one of the best that I have seen here and I believe any dog can win this race.

“Overall, the quality of the young dogs in Rockhampton at the moment is very, very, very good.

“This has come about partly because of the good connections up here with city trainers and that is resulting in some exciting young dogs coming north.

“The racing is getting harder and harder. I believe half the dogs up here could go south and win.”   

Taylor fills the two inside boxes in the Final – Keep Paying (box one), a heat winner last week, and first reserve Beryl’s Pride, who will be coming into box two for Abode’s Trilogy (trained by Michael Boody), who has been stood down following a heat’s incident.

Taylor says both his chasers, who began their race careers in Victoria, ‘have their chance’ in the Young Guns decider.

“Keep Paying is a good dog, although no superstar,” Taylor says.

“He has got some time on the board, he's certainly strong and just keeps coming. He is starting to find his niche and we will probably put him up to the 500 metres shortly.

“He is bred along the same line as my very good bitch, Say Some Words (94 starts for 24 wins, 28 placings and $87,860 in prize money). It took her a fair while to get to the 500 metres and it looks like he is going the same way.”

Taylor says the injection of Beryl’s Pride should be of benefit to Keep Paying.

“I do rate Beryl’s Pride,” Taylor said.

“He has finally got an inside box and gets out quick. He doesn't carve left, just runs a straight line, so that will give the one dog enough time.

“So, this race will be interesting. This will only be Beryl’s Pride’s third look at the track.”

The Zambora Brockie and Kraken Katie chaser came from the Ian Garland kennels in Victoria, who has sent dogs to Taylor before, including the very handy Barcia Bullet (92 starts – 26 wins, 18 placings for $74,385).

As early betting indicates, there are chances across this field including Juanita Thompson’s litter mates Was A Genius (box three) and Salute (box four), who are owned by prominent South East Queensland trainer Warren Nicholls.

Mo’at (box six), from Tom Tzouvelis’ successful Brisbane kennel, was also a heat winner last week, and will be a major threat.

While Rob Weeding’s Sweet Lollipop (box eight) boasts the fastest time (23.37 seconds) over track and distance of the finalists.