TUMUT apprentice jockey Megan Taylor is three and a half months away from a historic premiership victory.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With little more than a quarter of the racing season remaining, Taylor holds a commanding lead in the Southern District Racing Association (SDRA) jockey’s premiership.
A breakout season from Taylor has her nine and a half wins in front of her nearest rival, three-time winner Brendan Ward.
Taylor has ridden 27 winners in the Southern District this season and is closing in on becoming the first female jockey to win the SDRA premiership.
“It would mean a lot,” Taylor said.
“It would be a good little pat on the back and I’d have a pretty big grin on my face by the end of it.
“It would be a huge thank you to the people that have supported me.”
Even despite her lead, and riding five winners at Carrathool last month, Taylor is still struggling to get rides.
“After riding five of the six winners at Carrathool, I thought I would pick up extra rides but I’m still struggling,” she said.
“It’s good to show people that still aren’t confident on putting me on that I can ride winners.
“Even if I don’t win it, to have a lead like this over riders like Brendan Ward is a big achievement.”
With Ward leading the chasing pack, Taylor is far from confident and is happy to enjoy her lead while it lasts.
“I’ll keep trying to make every ride I get a good one,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be confident with one day to go, let alone three months.
“Anything can happen in the racing game.”
Taylor is currently suspended and will miss the upcoming Tocumwal and Corowa meetings.
She is also one win away from her 80th career victory, which means the loss of her country claim.
The 28-year-old, who has been riding since 2011, is in her last year of her apprenticeship and would love nothing more than to finish it with a bang.
“It’s been my best season...and it would be a great way to finish my apprenticeship with the senior and apprentice’s premierships,” she said.
If she is to win, Taylor said there is one person, in particular, to thank.
“I really struggle for rides and my biggest supporter is Kerry (Weir),” she said.
Meantime, Wagga’s Trevor Sutherland is on track for a third SDRA trainer’s premiership.
Sutherland has trained 16 winners in the past three months to overtake Kerry Weir and surge clear.
SDRA premierships
TRAINERS
Trevor Sutherland 24½
Kerry Weir 15
Phil Sweeney 14
Steve Cunningham 12
Chris Heywood 11
JOCKEYS
Megan Taylor (a) 27
Brendan Ward 17½
Chelsea McFarlane (a) 17
Michael Heagney 16
Nick Souquet 15
