Jeff Lloyd will be trackside to watch son Zac Llloyd's bid for back-to-back Stradbroke Handicap wins
Legendary jockey Jeff Lloyd hasn't been to the races in Queensland since his son Zac won his first Group 1 in last year's Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.
But he and wife Nicola will be there with bells on this Saturday when Zac aims to become the first jockey to win back-to-back Stradbroke crowns since Jim Cassidy on Rough Habit in 1992.
The Lloyds will be hoping history repeats itself, and Jeff isn't willing to tempt fate by staying away from Queensland's premier racetrack.
Zac Lloyd will ride the Annabel and Rob Archibald -trained colt Bosustow in Queensland's greatest race over 1400m this weekend.
'Yeah I'll definitely be back,' Jeff Lloyd said shortly after son Zac had jumped on the colt for the first time at trackwork early on Tuesday morning.
'I haven't been back since last year. I don't go to the races any more.
'I might have gone once in Sydney when I went down to visit Zac.
'I much prefer to stay at home. I just feel like you see more on TV and you can sit and do your own thing.'
The winner of 15 Group 1s all over the world before his retirement as a jockey in 2019, Jeff Lloyd now manages his sons Zac, who rides mainly in Sydney, and Gold Coast-based Jaden.
Zac Lloyd said he phoned Rosemont Stud boss Anthony Mithen straight after Bosustow's six-length romp in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) last month to request the Stradbroke ride and he was booked the next day.
Bosustow was plain in the rescheduled Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) last Wednesday when finishing sixth as winner Spicy Martini jagged a golden ticket into the Stradbroke.
But Zac Lloyd isn't concerned, saying he has full faith in the Archibalds to have the colt peaking at exactly the right time.
'I was booked in early because I was very confident that he's the right horse for the Stradbroke,' said Lloyd, who will ride Bosustow at 51.5kg in the $3m Stradbroke.
'Obviously his Fred Best run was a bit below-par but good trainers don't peak their horses the start before.
'He's a pleasure to ride. He's still a colt so he holds a lot of value.
'If he can win a Group 1 then that will just boost his stallion potential.
'If he can get up on Saturday it'll be massive for myself, Annabel and Rob and his owners.'
Lloyd still has fond memories of his maiden Group 1 victory on the Bjorn Baker-trained Stefi Magnetica last year at $16, especially with his parents watching on.
'The Stradbroke is Queensland's premier race so to win it once was good, but twice will be better,' he said on a cold Brisbane morning on Tuesday.
'It was a special day that. I had my parents on track and they don't normally go to the races.
'It's a day I won't forget and definitely the top win of my career so far. To get the opportunity to do it again is pretty special.'
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