Jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor gets chance to repay faith of mentor Brett Dodson

Kyle Wilson-Taylor could have a major moment at Doomben on Saturday as he looks to score a winner for his first boss and the man who took a chance on him.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor once turned up at Coffs Harbour racecourse without a jockey license but looking for a job.

Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Dodson took a chance on the raw teenager and made him his apprentice jockey.

Years later, Wilson-Taylor is looking to help repay Dodson and reward his faith by riding the promising Petticoat to victory in the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

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Wilson-Taylor may now be a Group 1-winning jockey and he rides in plenty of elite races but not much would give him more pleasure than riding a Saturday city winner for Dodson.

The young jockey has never forgotten how the Coffs Harbour trainer took a chance on him when many might not have.

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“I left Victoria and my Dad lived in Coffs Harbour, I knew there was a racetrack there and so that’s why I went there,” Wilson-Taylor said.

“I said to my Dad I’m just going to lob at the track one day and I would get a job, because I knew I could ride.

“My Dad didn’t believe me.

“I just turned up there one day, I was unlicensed, I just wanted to see if someone would give me a go.

“I saw Brett riding his own track work, his horses looked amazing, I asked him if he would take me as his apprentice and he did.

“He took a chance on me and I will forever appreciate it.”

Kyle Wilson-Taylor will be striving to win at Doomben for trainer Brett Dodson. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Wilson-Taylor has gone on to bigger and better things than in his apprentice days when he was a talented rider but needed to get his head in the right place.

Dodson has always been there for him, to bounce things off and for sage advice.

“He always kept my feet on the ground, it would have been easy to get ahead of myself when I was going well as an apprentice but he always kept a lid on me,” Wilson-Taylor said.

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“He has become one of my really close friends and sometimes when I need a bit of away time, I go down there and stay with him and his missus.

“He was my first boss and guided me through a lot of things.

“He was also a jockey when he was younger and so he can read a race very well and I learned a lot of horsemanship skill off him as well.”

Brett Dodson gave Wilson-Taylor his opportunity as a rider. Picture: Bradley Photos

Wilson-Taylor said his biggest win for Dodson came in last year’s Grafton Cup Prelude which he won on Full Press.

But the jockey thinks Petticoat, a three-year-old filly who three starts ago won on the Gold Coast by 4½ lengths, could be one of the most promising horses Dodson has trained.

Petticoat is a $6 chance at Doomben on Saturday.

“I called Brett and told him I was riding this horse in this race, no ifs or buts,” Wilson-Taylor said.

“He has had a couple of good horses over the years, but this could be the best one he has had.”

Originally published as Jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor gets chance to repay faith of mentor Brett Dodson