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Edmonds hopes to send Lloyd out a winner on final day

10 July 2019

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer Toby Edmonds is hoping to send out retiring jockey Jeff Lloyd a winner with two strong bookings at Doomben on Saturday.

Lloyd, who turns 58 in September, will end his star-studded career which includes the past three Brisbane jockeys’ premierships with a near full book of rides at Doomben.

He is currently a runaway leader and set to take out his fourth Brisbane’s title this season.

Lloyd announced last month he would retire on July 13 ending 40 years of riding and more than 90 Group 1 wins around the world.

The former South African struck up a successful partnership with Edmonds when he first arrived in Queensland eight years ago and teamed to win the Magic Million Classic with Houtzen in 2017.

His career almost ended in March, 2013 when he suffered a stroke at the Sunshine Coast races which sidelined him for a year but retirement was never a serious option once he made a full recovery.

Edmonds has booked Lloyd for Sunday Session in the Benchmark 70 Handicap and Granny Red Shoes in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

“It would be great to train a winner for Jeff on his final day and I think it would be vice-versa for him wanting to ride a winner for me,” Edmonds said.

“He’s had a great career and we’ve had a lot of success together over the years.

“He deserves a good retirement and a safe final day.”

Edmonds expects strong performances from Granny Red Shoes and Sunday Session who both are resuming.

Sunday Session is part-owned by John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud and former rugby league legend Tom Raudonikis who is battling cancer.

The four-year-old had his first two starts for Sydney’s Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott but since moving to Edmonds has won twice and placed on another two occasions from four starts.

His last appearance was at Ipswich on January 30 when the gelding finished second in a Benchmark race over 2190 metres.

Granny Red Shoes hasn’t started since finishing seventh to Boomsara in the Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on January 12.

“She lost a bit of confidence for the Magic Millions Guineas after being involved in a fall in the Vo Rogue Plate in her previous start,” Edmonds said.

“She could go to Sydney after this run but I’ve got no specific plans mapped out yet or she could possibly go to stud soon.

“She’s been working well so I expect her to run well.”

Edmonds has booked Robbie Fradd for former Victorian Lady Horseowner who also is entered for the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

“Lady Horseowner has trialled well and has good ability but she needs to bring her trackwork to race day,” Edmonds said.

Lady Horseowner has won two of her six starts including the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield last year.

Racing Queensland webnews  July 10