Racing
Thangool Tuesday: Stanley gunning for QLD premiership
Popular jockey Justin Stanley has no intentions of slowing down and is a short-priced favourite to claim another Queensland Jockeys’ Premiership this season.
Stanley, 44, heads to Thangool in central Queensland on Tuesday after Don'tdoubtthelady - his only ride at Eagle Farm last Saturday - was well beaten in the Listed Show A Heart Stakes.
The Deagon-based Stanley is one of racing's journeymen and currently leads the Queensland Jockeys' Premiership with 119 wins, well clear of second placed Ryan Wiggins on 92 wins.
He also leads the Queensland Provincial Premiership race with 71 wins with Jace Murray his nearest rival on 41 wins.
Stanley, who has previously won both titles, has never contemplated retirement and is happy to continue riding.
"I've had a lot of injuries in my career which I don't like talking about but retirement has never crossed my mind," he said.
Stanley had a bad fall at the Gold Coast early in his career when he suffered serious head injuries as well as a broken leg and collarbone.
He also has broken his jaw, fractured his skull and had bleeding to the brain as well as requiring a knee reconstruction.
Stanley could have ridden anywhere in the State last Saturday but stayed loyal to his close friend, Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor to ride Don'tdoubtthelady who finished 10th to the Kelly Schweida-trained Sunrays in the Show A Heart Stakes.
He has six rides at Thangool and will team up again with Taylor aboard Papasito in the Open Handicap and Gangitano in the Benchmark 65 Handicap.
Papasito failed to complete a hat-trick of wins last start when fifth to the Ricky Vale-trained Parade Ground in a 1400-metre Benchmark race at Rockhampton on May 22.
"Forget his last run as he goes well and he's a good chance," Stanley said.
"He prefers to lead which he couldn't do last run and if leads in this he'll be hard to beat."
Taylor is double handed in the Open Handicap with jockey Ash Butler riding Diddley Squat.
Former Victorian Diddley Squat hasn't put a foot wrong since moving to Taylor missing a place only once in nine starts.
A son of Japanese-bred sire Mikki Isle, Diddley Squat has won twice including his last start victory in a 1200-metre Open at Callaghan Park on May 13.
