Jeff Lloyd might find it hard to repeat his five-win haul of a week ago but trainer Toby Edmonds is convinced he has a couple of Eagle Farm runners to help the cause.
Edmonds and Lloyd have formed a successful partnership over the past two years since the jockey came back from a career-threatening stroke.
Lloyd won last season’s Brisbane premiership and has a healthy lead early this term.
Two of his winners last Saturday were for Edmonds and the pair will combine with five horses on Saturday including the exciting Mr Wind.
Lloyd will have to be at the top of his game from the outside barrier in the Class Three Plate (1200m) but on his debut win, Edmonds believes Mr Wind has the class to cope.
“He was a horse that was earmarked for Hong Kong but he didn’t pass their (vet) tests,” Edmonds said.
“He’s had one start for one win.
“He’s got a bad barrier but hopefully Jeff can get him across.”
Mr Wind led all the way to win over 1200 metres last Saturday week and is the $2.90 favourite for his next assignment.
Lloyd will also be aboard the Edmonds-trained Prompt Return in the open handicap which features the speedy Hidden Pearl who is favourite despite a recent failure in Sydney.
“Prompt Return came to us from Chris Waller and was with Danny O’Brien before that,” Edmonds said.
“Obviously Hidden Pearl will be hard to beat if she is right.
“But Prompt Return has done well up here. There are easier races for him in Queensland.”
While the former Warwick Farm trainer enjoys life on the Gold Coast, he is still keem to target interstate races with horses he thinks are competitive.
One of them is Mr Epic who runs in a 1700m-handicap at Caulfield on Saturday on the back of two recent 1600m-wins at Eagle Farm.
“If he goes well then he could be a lightweight hope in the Toorak Handicap,” Edmonds said.
Stablemate, Strandbroke Handicap placegetter The Virginian, is also in Melbourne where he ran sixth behind Keen Array in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes last Saturday.
“It was a bit disappointing but he has pulled up well so we will go to either the Gilgai Stakes down the straight at Flemington on Sunday week or the Paris Lane over 1400 metres,” Edmonds said.
“His aim is next year’s Stradbroke but we would like to get his rating up.”
