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Lloyd opens Kranji account atop Pacific Beauty

3 minute read

Jockey Jaden Lloyd booted home his first winner in Singapore after Pacific Beauty came from second last to score in the $30,000 Martin 2013 Stakes (1600m) on Sunday.

PACIFIC BEAUTY winning the MARTIN 2013 STAKES CLASS 5
PACIFIC BEAUTY winning the MARTIN 2013 STAKES CLASS 5 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

The son of retired champion jockey Jeff Lloyd, whose biggest win in Singapore came in the 2006 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup on board Mr Line for ex-Kranji trainer Pat Shaw, left his base in Brisbane for Singapore after he secured a five-month contract to ride at Kranji till 22 June.

After discussions with his father and getting some help from South African trainer Ricardo Le Grange, who used to be Shaw's assistant-trainer, Lloyd made the choice to come to Singapore for his first overseas stint.

"I was a kid when dad rode here, so I always wanted to come here and ride," said the South African-born Australian hoop, who chalked up eight wins in the metropolitan races in Queensland for the 23/24 season.

"I was doing well in Brisbane, but I discussed with dad and he agreed that this was the last chance to ride here (before Singapore Turf Club closes).

"Ricardo was very helpful. He helped me to settle in and he will give me rides next week.

"It took me a couple of races to get used to because the pace is faster here."

Lloyd only needed three rides to "warm up" before he got off the mark at his fourth ride aboard the Daniel Meagher-trained filly, who also knocked in her first win in the Class 5 Division 1 race.

The Vancouver three-year-old was tucked behind in second last by Lloyd going into the first bend, albeit not far off the pack led by Fort Mustang (Iskandar Rosman).

The order did not change much in the backstraight but Lloyd was seen bustling Pacific Beauty  ($29) up while turning for home. Fort Mustang showed no signs of giving up in front but with Lloyd hungry for his first success in Singapore, Pacific Beauty lunged fast with every stride.

Nineoneone (Jerlyn Seow) stormed home on the outside but had to settle a length behind Pacific Beauty in second while Jungle Cruise (Marc Lerner) ran another head away in third. The winning time was 1 min 39.61secs for the 1600m on the Polytrack.

Lloyd was confident of a forward run and said the fast pace worked well for Pacific Beauty.

"I thought she'd run a good race. They sort of set it up beautifully the way they went so quick early," he said.

"The plan was to put her at the back and have a last crack at them.

"She got into a lovely rhythm and once I brought her to the outside, she let down really good."

The first win from Pacific Beauty not only brought up a first winning combination between Meagher and Lloyd but it was also the Australian conditioner's first win for the Pacific Stable, who was in red hot form on the second day of Chinese New Year with three other winners, namely Pacific Charm, Pacific Hero and Pacific Victory.

"She (Pacific Beauty) tries every time and puts in her best effort," he said of his seventh win this year.

"We knew she'd be more of a 1400m to a mile horse. She was unlucky at her last start (ninth in similar race on 27 January) because she was caught wide, but she ran fantastic at her previous start (third in a similar race on 6 January).

"Unfortunately for Marc, he was already booked on Jungle Cruise, hence we got Jaden. Great win.

"I rang him up during the week to ask him and he said he's good to take the ride. He's a good young kid.

"We've also got a few thirds for the Pacific Stable previously, so it's good to win for them."

With one win and two thirds in eight starts, Pacific Beauty has earned over $23,000 in prizemoney for connections.


Singapore Turf Club

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