Clinton Taylor galloper Honkytonk Diva deny plunge horse Sir Warwick in Rockhampton Newmarket

Toowoomba horse Sir Warwick was heavily backed but trainer Clinton Taylor defended his home turf in an emotional Rockhampton Newmarket with great mate Justin Stanley on Friday.

Honkytonk Diva surges late to win the Rockhampton Newmarket for trainer Clinton Taylor and jockey Justin Stanley. Picture: Caught In The Act Photography CQ

Premier central Queensland trainer Clinton Taylor has put his stake in the ground and defended his home turf with a stirring victory in the Rockhampton Newmarket on Friday.

Fending off a host of challengers chasing the lucrative $20,000 trainers bonus for the two-day carnival, Taylor delivered when it mattered most with Honkytonk Diva producing a perfectly timed dive to win the $100,000 feature.

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Taylor combined with great mate Justin Stanley to grab the prize, where he knocked off plunge horse Sir Warwick in the final strides of the infamously long Rockhampton straight.

It's Honkytonk Diva for the @ParkCallaghan Newmarket! Congratulations to Clint Taylor and jockey @judd_81 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RFvTWkc5r9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 12, 2024

While he is a regular at metropolitan level with gun mare Chinny Boom, Taylor said his hometown Newmarket was a race that had been on his “to do” list since he started training.

He was knocked off with Princess Tenko 12 months earlier, but made amends on Friday.

“This is the race I have always wanted to win, I think Princess Tenko was really unlucky last year, but that can go in the cupboard now,” Taylor said.

“It is a big team effort, my wife is back home doing boxes while I am here now.

“This is what it is all about.”

Honkytonk Diva was previously trained by Kelly Schweida in Brisbane. Picture: Caught In The Act Photography CQ

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Tony Gollan’s Rockribbed was sent out an easing favourite, but was never able to get in from barrier 15, travelling four and five wide for much of the race before knocking up in the straight.

It was Stanley who was able to hold his nerve and produce Honkytonk Diva with a winning run.

“Juddo (Stanley) gave her a 20 today, he might have got it wrong, but it was 20/10 today, that’s why he is on them all,” Taylor said.
“This will be special for him too, I know that for a fact, we are really good friends now.”

Originally published as Clinton Taylor galloper Honkytonk Diva deny plunge horse Sir Warwick in Rockhampton Newmarket