In-form Lloyd can nail his fancied rivals
Jeff Lloyd has been riding in great form and is a cheeky hope of knocking over his more favoured rivals as a value $12 chance in the Jockey Challenge at Happy Valley tonight.
The South African has a book of seven rides, while his line-up doesn't match the list of shorties that $1.80 favourite Brett Prebble will ride, Lloyd has the X-factor to cause more than one upset and, if things fall his way, could see him cause a boilover in the Challenge.
With no ride in the first, Lloyd's supporters can pull Megabucks by the tail and hope the favourite doesn't score maximum points for Prebble and shoot him away to a 12-point lead.
Value Choice is one of Lloyd's best hopes and the match-up between the Tony Cruz-trained runner and Prebble's overnight favourite Many Gains, will be critical to the final tally. Both Mount Victory and Brilliant Chariot sport blinkers for the first time in their respective 1,650m events in races three and four, and Lloyd has a good reputation for extracting the first wins from new gallopers.
John Size has called on Lloyd to fill the saddle on Flora Danica, who has drawn a peach of an alley and is in a winnable race on the quick back-up - and scoring points on this horse is a must if Lloyd is to be crowned Challenge king.
Noble De Best, Cat Storm and Kick Serve round out the night for Lloyd, who could well be on a roll by this stage and, if he is, the opening quote of $12 will seem very generous.
