Jim Byrne faces a huge task to retain his Brisbane jockeys’ premiership but he can take heart from a titanic battle from 50 years ago.
Jeff Lloyd is now $1.10 with bookmakers to win his first Brisbane metropolitan title after scoring on Angel Dancer at Doomben on Saturday.
It took him to 76 wins for the season with two meetings remaining which, 4-1/2 in front of Byrne who failed to ride a winner.
Byrne is now a $5 chance to win his fifth Brisbane title with the only other possible winner Jim Orman (67 winners) at $201.
This season is the 50th anniversary of Brisbane’s most famous finish to a jockeys’s title in 1965/66.
Group One winning jockey Len Hill was leading veteran Skeeter Sanders by two wins on the final day of the season at Eagle Farm.
Hill rode a winning double and looked to have the title wrapped up but Sanders rode four of the last five winners to snatch a tie.
Byrne and Lloyd are playing the final week close to their chests but will have strong books at both Eagle Farm on Wednesday and Doomben on Saturday.
“Jeff is riding very well but I will have to just keep trying to ride winners. If I can do that I am some chance of getting him,” Byrne said.
The 55-year-old Lloyd said he was far from counting the title race as being over.
“Jim has shown he can ride multiple winners in a day so nothing is certain,” Lloyd said.
