Kyle Wilson-Taylor and Chris Waller combination takes another positive step with Queensland Derby hopeful Liberty Park

Young jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor approached Chris Waller looking for an opportunity and the partnership is bearing fruit as they combined for a win at Doomben with a potential Queensland Derby prospect.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor combined with trainer Chris Waller to win aboard Queensland Derby hopeful Liberty Park at Doomben on Tuesday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Kyle Wilson-Taylor’s blossoming combination with master Sydney trainer Chris Waller took another positive step when the determined young jockey scored on a potential Group 1 Queensland Derby hopeful at Doomben.

Champion Queensland jockey Jimmy Orman was generally Waller’s go-to jockey in the Sunshine State, until Orman was hand-picked by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for a short-term riding stint which could turn into something longer.

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Wilson-Taylor, already a Group 1 winner, sensed an opportunity and approached Waller and his team to start riding trackwork for them in Queensland.

One thing led to another and Wilson-Taylor has quickly become a force riding winners for Waller in Queensland.

The combo was to the fore in the Tuesday metropolitan meeting at Doomben, when Wilson-Taylor partnered Liberty Park to victory for Waller in the 3YO Handicap over 2000m.

“Jimmy (Orman) was his (Waller’s) main rider in Queensland but when Jimmy went away, I thought I would approach them and see if I could do some work for them,” Wilson-Taylor said.

Liberty Park gets his first Australian win! 🥇@cwallerracing | @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/E0xpfFzKtC

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 1, 2025

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“I just started poking away and I didn’t expect to get rides from him (Waller) straight away, I just thought I would do some trackwork.

“In the first week he started supporting me and that has continued.

“It’s great to get some results for him.

“I know Chris is an extremely loyal person and he has seen the work that I am putting in.

“It’s also great to build a rapport with some of his horses.

“I’m always trying to better myself as a jockey, it’s what I live for.

“I’ve had some good support from interstate trainers like the Freedmans (Anthony and Sam) and to be now backed by the best trainer in the country, it’s humbling.”

Liberty Park, who started his racing career in New Zealand, started $4.40 second pick at Doomben and won strongly by a couple of lengths as easing $2.15 favourite Prince Levi failed to flatter and finished sixth.

Brett Killion, who manages Waller’s operation in Queensland, said three-year-old Liberty Park has showed potential from a Queensland Derby point of view.

“He stays and settles well, and he showed a nice turn of foot, he will be in the conversation for the Queensland Derby,” Killion said.

“Kyle had done his homework well, he watched the horse’s replays from New Zealand and he knew how to ride him.”