“It’s over.” With those two words Jaden Lloyd, speaking yesterday, basically conceded the Brisbane Apprentice Jockey Premiership to his good friend and great rival Kyle Wilson-Taylor, with whom he has been embroiled in an enthralling battle for this particular title over the last six months.
These two quality, emerging riders have traded winner for winner over a long period of time with neither being able to gain the ascendency until Wilson-Taylor eased ahead in recent weeks, but it was not that deficit that has seemingly killed off Lloyd’s chances, but rather a suspension that Lloyd picked up last Saturday … on Caloundra Cup day … when riding Northern Express in the Bruce McLachlan Classic.
Ironically, Lloyd won on Northern Express, but the victory was soured on a personal level when stewards handed Lloyd a nine day suspension on a charge of careless riding, with the suspension due to run from midnight on July 11 until midnight on July 20.
Lloyd confirmed yesterday that he would not be appealing his penalty and therefore would not be asking for a stay of proceedings, meaning that Wilson-Taylor will have clear air to try and add to his advantage in the three metropolitan meetings that Lloyd will miss due to his suspension.
While Lloyd’s practical assessment of the situation is totally understandable … he currently trails Wilson-Taylor by four winners with his suspension to come … this race is not officially over yet.
Lloyd and Wilson-Taylor will both be in action at the metropolitan meeting at Doomben on Saturday, where the demand for their services is highlighted by the fact that both have a full book of rides on the ten-race card.
The results on the day will reveal by just how much Lloyd will trail Wilson-Taylor when Lloyd starts his suspension. A big day for Lloyd on Saturday could add another twist to the Premiership, but if Wilson-Taylor holds his own on the day, as Lloyd alluded to, it could well make it a bridge too far for Lloyd to be able the reverse the current standings.
There will still be three metropolitan meetings left when Lloyd returns from suspension, but the results of the next two weeks will dictate whether those meetings still have a part to play in the Apprentice Premiership battle, or not.
Either way, these two young riders have done themselves proud this season, in which they have both broken through the fifty metropolitan winner landmark which sees them not only top of the apprentice ladder, but Wilson-Taylor and Lloyd also sit fourth and fifth respectively in the Brisbane Jockey’s Premiership … a praiseworthy achievement.
