Lindsay Hatch, Kyle Wilson-Taylor sweep Clifford Park premiership pool

With the 2020/21 racing season coming to a close, check out the Clifford Park premiership winners.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor. Picture: Nev Madsen

RACING: They formed a dynamic duo over the course of the Clifford Park racing season, and now Lindsay Hatch and Kyle Wilson-Taylor are sharing the spoils of premiership glory.

Trainer Hatch made it back-to-back wins in the trainers premiership, while Wilson-Taylor prevailed in both the jockeys and apprentices titles.

Hatch finished the season with 30 winners from 106 starters at a strike rate of 28.3 per cent, ahead of Mark Currie on 23 winners and Tony and Maddy Sears with 20.

“It feels pretty good,” Hatch said.

“It’s a lot of hard work and you need to have good staff. We placed our horses well and things game together which was great.

“You only have to look at the premiership trainers in Toowoomba and there’s a lot of good horsemen, so it’s good to have the name among them.”

The premiership win tops off a memorable season for Hatch on his home track, after claiming the Weetwood Handicap in September.

Trainer Lindsay Hatch. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Wilson-Taylor was a standout in the saddle, riding 33 winners from 89 starts at 37.1 per cent, with Les Tilley (24 winners) and Skye Bogenhuber (16 winners) in second and third respectively.

Hatch said he was proud of what the duo were able to achieve, and praised the hard work of the rising apprentice. g

“We have a good bond. We sat down when he first came to me and went over what I’d like him to do,” he said.

“I wanted him to concentrate on Toowoomba for a season to get him primed and ready to go in Brisbane.

“It’s a big thing from a trainers point of view to have a jockey that rides work and race day. It’s a huge advantage.”

Wilson-Taylor said he was overjoyed with the achievements, as he looks to take the next step in his riding journey.

“To win the Toowoomba apprentices and senior title is a big thrill,” Wilson-Taylor said.

“It’s something (apprentices title) I set out to do when I first came here. It’s good that I could win it, but to win the senior title as well, I couldn’t have done that without the support from Lindsay and his family, and other Toowoomba trainers.

“Lindsay has been very good for me. He’s kept me in line and been able to lift me up when I’ve needed it. I’ve worked hard and the results have shown.

“I just want to keep riding as many winners as possible. I’d like to win the apprentices title in Brisbane and keep working hard.”

She’s Crowned (Patrick Sexton/Dale Groves) was the most successful horse at Clifford Park over the course of the season with four wins, claiming two in August and two in July.