Apprentice Learns from the Master

Inspired by words of advice from one of New Zealand’s great jockeys, Aimee Taylor has promptly taken her career to the next level with her first black type win.
The 22-year-old is apprenticed to Graeme and Debbie Rogerson and at Awapuni on Saturday she guided the stable runner Whistling Dixie to victory in the Gr.3 Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes.
Taylor said the race had gone exactly to plan and, after enjoying a good run near the pace, the filly found the line strongly to deny the fast-finishing Miss Selby.
“Jimmy Cassidy went through the form with me on Friday and we wanted to sit third or fourth. Jimmy’s out here on holiday at the moment and stayed here (the Rogersons) and he said to me if you’re confident you’re half-way there and I was really confident on the turn.”
Stakes placed last season in the Listed Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie, Whistling Dixie was making her fourth appearance of her current campaign and the feeling within the stable is that she can go a lot further.
“I ride her every morning so she’s a favourite and we think she’s going to be an Oaks filly,” Taylor said.
Taylor began her apprenticeship in the Central Districts with noted mentor Kevin Gray before moving north.
“I was with Mr Gray at least four years and I just wanted a change so I came up to Stephen Autridge and then on to Graeme and Debbie Rogerson,” she said.
Whistling Dixie accounted for Miss Selby by a long head and they were clear of the third placegetter Zaperb, who fought on gamely after making the pace and dashing clear into the straight. - NZ Racing Desk.