Taylor rides Kawaikini to win at Randwick

Jess Taylor has ridden Kawaikini to win at Randwick for trainer Jason Coyle.

Jason Coyle has heaped praise on Kawaikini’s latest jockey Jess Taylor after the mare’s win at Randwick.

Taylor, who took over from the suspended Kathy O’Hara, produced a perfectly timed ride on the four-year-old to guide her to victory Saturday’s TAB Rewards Handicap (1200m) by half-a-neck.

“It was a commendable ride. I thought that won her the race,” Coyle said.

“She still wants to look around when she hits the front. She looks flashy from back but when she hits the front she sprints hard for about a furlong and then looks a little bit susceptible.

“That’s why I credit the ride for the win.”

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Taylor, who also had success with the Coyle-trained Slightly Sweet last winter, was rapt to get the win on the $3.50 favourite.

“She likes to get back, relax and then she’s got a really strong finish on her,” she said.

“She was travelling that good at the top of the straight I was able to push my way out but I thought I got there a bit soon.

“She does have a tendency to look around when she gets there but she’s pretty tough.”

Top weight Machine Gun Jubs ($3.80) was second with Leami Astray ($12) third.

Kawaikini has now won five races and her first for a jockey other than O’Hara.