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By Mark Brassel

One of Queensland's leading jockeys Kyle Wilson-Taylor is heading to Friday's Coffs Harbour race meeting for just one ride - and it's a mount that Kyle has been chasing for three months.

The hoop will be aboard the Kris Lees-trained Issy’s Star ($3.30 on TAB) in the Jesse Riley Memorial 2yo Handicap (1205m), his sole ride for the afternoon before he heads back to Queensland for Ipswich Cup Day.

“Kyle was a very close friend of Jesse who passed away suddenly exactly four years to the day of Friday’s race meeting,” explained Tim Saladine, Coffs Harbour Race Club’s Manager.

Group 1-winning jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor is headed for Coffs Harbour on Friday. Image by Trackside Photography

“Kyle has been chasing a ride in the race ever since the program came out three months ago; and he has been on the phone constantly to Kris Lees to get a ride.

“Jesse was an apprentice up here and also rode a lot of trackwork so he was well known by many.

“After Friday's race the Club will present two sashes, one for the winning connections and another to the Riley Family.”

Issy’s Star is certain to be the sentimental favourite in the race and has bright claims, having only started once when runner-up to long odds-on favourite Raging Force in the Red Crown at Muswellbrook.

Local jockey Raymond Spokes is also riding at Coffs Harbour where he has five mounts.

“Both Kyle and I were very close to Jesse who was like a little brother to me and a good friend of Kyle,” Spokes said.

“Jesse was a talented horseman, a devoted father, partner and great mate to many. He lived with us for two or three years and was a champion bloke.

“He came from Taree and was apprenticed to Ross Stitt before coming up to Coffs where he was apprenticed to Ken Lantry and then to Paul Smith.

“Jesse also rode the Darwin-Alice Springs circuit before coming back to Coffs to ride work.

“He also had a stint in Sydney before returning to Coffs to ride trackwork mainly for Brett Bellamy as he got a bit too heavy for race riding.”

Jesse Riley rode 15 winners as an apprentice including five at Port Macquarie, four at Grafton and three at Bowraville.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Coffs Harbour here