Stone aims for strong finish

In-form Albany apprentice jockey Tayla Stone is not content with her run of recent winners as she eyes a strong finish to the Great Southern racing season, starting with Saturday’s Anzac meeting at Percy Spencer Racecourse.

Stone has ridden 25 winners this season and her form in the past three months is terrific, with 17 victories since the start of February.

Last week, the talented apprentice, indentured to leading local trainer Steve Wolfe, was successful in Bunbury on Thursday aboard Jester Rock and then on Saturday travelled to Kalgoorlie, where she rode a winning double and claimed Kalgoorlie Boulder Racing Club’s rider of the day award.

The 20-year-old heads into the penultimate meeting of the Great Southern season as the current leader of the apprentice jockeys’ premiership and said she was keen to finish with a bang.

“I am improving and taking a lot more gaps in running,” Stone said.

“I’m going places that I wouldn’t have gone early in my career and I am reaping the rewards.

“The boss has started putting me on the better horses and that certainly helps as well.

“Hopefully I can ride one or two more on Saturday.”

Stone sits on six wins, two ahead Sarah Bonner in the apprentice standings with Fiona Bell (three wins), Casey Hunter (two) and Randy Tan (two) close behind.

Claiming 2kg at the provincial tracks, Stone’s rides at the Warhorse meeting include consistent middle-distance runner Gee Pee Ess and smart sprinter King Closet.

Gee Pee Ess rates as a strong chance over 1612m after drawing ideally in barrier three while King Closet will carry 58.5kg and also has claims in a quality 1240m sprint race, which contains Long Knife, Potent Secret, Bindaree Lady and stablemate Tiger Pete.

Stone will also partner Zipline and Two Eye See for Wolfe, along with the mount aboard each-way hope Lil Kim and Dixie Solly’s Emma November.