International jockey Jeff Lloyd hopes to send a clear message when the latest chapter of his star-studded career begins at Doomben on Saturday.
Lloyd, 50, wants it known his decision to quit Hong Kong and base himself at the Gold Coast is not related to thoughts of retirement.
The winner of six South African jockeys’ premierships, Lloyd has six rides at Doomben on Saturday including New Zealander Booming who has drawn barrier three in the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m).
He has four rides for Patinack Farm aboard Gathering (Lord Mayor’s Cup), Boys On Tour (Fred Best Classic), Sookie (Champagne Classic) and Just Been Lucky (Glenlogan Park Stakes) while he’ll also partner the Toby Edmonds-trained Rocksan in the Group Three The Roses.
“I’m here to compete at the highest level and do my best and I’ve got no thoughts of living here in semi-retirement,” Lloyd said.
“I want to ride at all the major carnivals. My plan is to ride trackwork for Patinack Farm as well as at the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.”
Lloyd has ridden in nine countries, winning more than 4500 races and 90 Group Ones during his stellar career.
He knows little about Booming’s ability but plans to study videos of the seven-year-old’s recent New Zealand performances.
“It’s good to be back. I’ve been away for three years after riding for 18 months in Sydney,” Lloyd said.
“I don’t know much about Booming but I’ll be doing my homework and I’ll look at his videos.”
The Jeff Lynds-trained Booming finished fourth in the Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) in March and was given a let-up before his last start fourth in the Listed Manawatu Anzac Handicap (1600m).
“It was a really fantastic run in the Auckland Cup. He was three-wide all the way then had to come 10-wide on the home turn and he still finished fourth,” Lynds said.
Booming arrived for the winter carnival on Tuesday and is being aimed at next month’s Group Two Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) and Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m).
Lynds had to abort Booming’s Melbourne Cup campaign last spring when he suffered a leg infection following his ninth to Niwot in the Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington in October.
For a seven-year-old, Booming has only been lightly raced with 38 starts for eight wins including two at the top level in the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie in 2010 and Thorndon Mile at Trentham last year.
Lynds is looking for a good track for Booming and is confident of a strong showing in the weight-for-age feature.
“He’s a handy competitor between 2000 and 2400 metres and he’s proven at weight-for-age,” he said.
