Kyle Wilson-Taylor lands Golden Monkey Queen Elizabeth II Cup ride in one of Singapore’s final Group 1’s

Kyle Wilson-Taylor has the chance to win one of Singapore’s final ever Group 1s when he jumps aboard Golden Monkey in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor rode Punch Lane in a trial in Sydney last week. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

Kyle Wilson-Taylor has big time spring ambitions in Australia, but the young gun will first look to land one of the final Group 1s run in Singapore after picking up the ride on star galloper Golden Monkey on Saturday.

The Group 1 winner was booked to ride in the final Singapore Derby earlier this year, but was grounded in Australia when his mount was scratched on race week.

After all but conceding his chance to ride a winner in the Lion City had flown, Wilson-Taylor got a call out of the blue last week which was too good to turn down.

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“I was at mum’s house the other day and I got a call from a guy who manages a few horses up there asking if I would go up and ride Golden Monkey for them in the Queen Elizabeth,” Wilson-Taylor said.

“I couldn’t say no because he is a top three chance in that race without a doubt, I am really looking forward to it.

“I was meant to go for the Derby, which I was really keen for, but it ended up falling through.

“I got my head around that, which was fine, but I thought that’d be the end of it up there, with it all finishing up soon.”

The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Derby winner was beaten by Lims Saltoro and Lim’s Kosciuszko last start when ridden by Sydney jockey Chad Schofield.

Wilson-Taylor says he has spoken to plenty of jockey about riding at Kranji, with his first ride at the famous circuit set to come in the $300,000 feature.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor has big spring ambitions in Australia. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

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“It is a Saturday meeting, so I would say Chad wants to ride something in Sydney, which has opened an opportunity for me. I want to better myself and spread my wings a fair bit,” he said.

“He arguably should have beaten the two Lims horses last time, so hopefully we get a better draw this time around.

“I have spoken to a fair few of the boys about riding up there, I am looking to get as much advice as I can as it is my only ride for the day at this stage.”

It comes as Wilson-Taylor is looking to keep the ride on impressive Listed Glasshouse winner Punch Lane.

1⃣ Giga Kick
2⃣ Linebacker
3⃣ Punch Lane

Some nice work from @c_douglasracing's 2022 #TABEverest champ tp win a Randwick trial on Friday under @mcacajamez. Behind the placings were Celestial Legend, Private Eye and Kovalica. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/LbFiGMlieY

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 29, 2024

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The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper is on a path towards the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on November 16, where he is a $15 chance with TAB.

Wilson-Taylor travelled to Sydney last Friday to trial the horse, who is raced by the same connections as superstar sprinter Santa Ana Lane.