Apprentice Jaden Lloyd’s career continued on its steep upward trajectory at Eagle Farm on Saturday where the young rider scored his first Listed race win aboard the John Smerdon trained Honorable Spirit in the Queensland Cup.
Apprentices were unable to claim in this Listed event, but that didn’t stop Smerdon from again giving Lloyd his vote of confidence just as he had done two weeks before when Lloyd partnered Honourable Spirit to a fast-finishing runner-up result in the Toowoomba Cup.
Smerdon’s belief in the young apprentice was vindicated when Lloyd produced rousing ride in a desperate finish which saw Honourable Spirit get home by the narrowest of margins from Lunasnit who had accomplished veteran jockey Robbie Fradd in the saddle.
Trying to keep Fradd out in a stride for stride battle when he is throwing everything at the horse in his own inimitable way often turns out to be a losing battle … so, all the more credit to Lloyd for getting the job done in such exhilarating fashion.
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Throughout any successful career there are clear pivotal moments which define what happens next and for Lloyd one decision that will forever remain set in that category was the decision to return to Queensland after spending the initial part of his apprenticeship in Victoria.
You don’t just take off from a standing start wherever you go so Lloyd’s progress early on in Queensland was more slow and steady rather than electric. It was a case of him finding his feet, building a profile, creating opportunities and then making those opportunities count … and he has followed that gameplan to near perfection, charting a path that has now brought him to the forefront of the riding ranks in Brisbane … which is no mean feat.
Just look at Lloyd’s steep upward trajectory.
During the 2020/21 season Lloyd only had twenty-one Metropolitan rides. He, in fact, saluted on his first-ever ride in town aboard Garoppolo on June 26 … and he would go on to add two more metropolitan winners to his name before season’s end to go with his forty-six provincial winners which saw him finish third in the Queensland Provincial Apprentices Premiership.
Fast forward to just two and a half months into the new season and Lloyd currently sits in second place on the Brisbane Jockey’s Premiership ladder, five winners behind the Premiership leader Jim Byrne … and three in front of Kyle Wilson-Taylor at the top of the Brisbane Metropolitan Premiership … a title on which Lloyd has very much set his sights.
And for an apprentice, it not just results but work ethic that counts. It can get you noticed, for better or worse, as much as anything else and, here again, Lloyd shines as evidenced by the fact that his one hundred and thirteen metropolitan rides so far this season is easily the highest number of rides by anybody in that arena.
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As many will be quick to point out, Lloyd does have his advantages … having legendary jockey Jeff Lloyd as his father, manager and mentor … but that pedigree and guidance factor can only get real traction when Jaden Lloyd applies himself to commit to the cause and to learn every day from Jeff’s, and others, teachings.
There is no doubt he is doing just that and, deservingly, is finding his due reward.
All credit to him.
