Sunshine Coast trainer Garnett Taylor reflects on decade strong form across Queensland
Sunshine Coast trainer Garnett Taylor explains why he has made the 557km round trip to Rockhampton more than 100 times since relocating 10 years ago.
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Queensland champion trainer Garnett Taylor has reflected on his move from Rockhampton to the Sunshine Coast 10 years on and the success that has followed for his stable.
Taylor, 59, began as a trainer in Roma before taking over Les Ross’ Miles stable and further relocating to Rockhampton in 2009.
After two Callaghan Park trainers premierships and two Capricorn Classic victories in 2008 and 2011, Taylor made a permanent move to Sunshine Coast in 2012.
“It’s a nice place to live, more opportunities for the horses and I’m getting on a bit so thought it’d be where I end up retiring,” he said.
Despite the move, Taylor’s name regularly appears in the Rockhampton form guide, a 557km and six-hour journey north of his Caloundra stable.
“I leave at midnight and get up there around 6 or 6.30am, you race and then you only get a couple of hours sleep before getting up at midnight and getting on the road again,” he said.
“It’s about opportunity and placing them well and mainly, not always, but it’s a bit weaker up there so you can win a nice QTIS race with some good prizemoney.
“It pays the bills and you’re not running into the likes of Tony Gollan, O'Dea and Hoysted and those larger trainers.
“My young fella Clinton also trains up there and my daughter is married to Jared Wehlow so it’s always good to see them as well.”
Since April 2022, Taylor has made the return trip on 17 separate occasions resulting in nine winners and 12 placings.
By doing so he has carved out 18,938 kilometres.
At the Sunshine Coast this season he has recorded six winners and 12 placings from 44 starts.
He said he was content with his stable’s performances.
“We’re just poking along and probably at the stage of cutting back rather than revving up,” he said.
“I’d definitely keep my eye on Bold and Lucy and Bold Halo and I’d say follow me up at Rocky because that’s where I seem to go all right.”
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