News

Audacious win is fitting revenge for hoop Jeff Lloyd

24th Dec 2012

Courier Mail - Nathan Exelby - Sunday, 23 December 2012

Revenge was sweet for Jeff Lloyd yesterday when Audacious Spirit just lasted to win the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes.

Audacious Spirit (pictured as yearling) carved out a solid overall time, but was taking short strides near the post as Phelan Ready (3rd) and Morning Captain (2nd) in particular closed.

The win provides an overdue stakes success for the son of Bel Esprit, who was beaten in a deceptive photo by Master Harry in the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes in Sydney two years ago.

Trainer Gillian Heinrich was absent yesterday, holidaying in Aspen.

Lloyd was at the centre of the controversial Startsmeup riding dispute a fortnight ago. Connections of Startsmeup threatened to remove the horse from Heinrichs stable when Lloyd opted to ride stablemate Audacious Spirit.

In his place, Brad Stewart produced a gem on Startsmeup, while Audacious Spirit only wilted in the final 25m to finish fourth.

Lloyd had no hard luck stories yesterday.

"It is very satisfying. I stuck with this horse last time and (after what happened) I didn't have the choice this time, so its very satisfying," Lloyd said.

"I ride for Gillian three days a week and we've formed a good partnership. It's good to win a nice race for her."

Though not saying it outright, Lloyd is pessimistic about Audacious Spirits chances of stretching any further.

"Walking" was his response when asked how Audacious Spirit was at the end of the 1350m.

"This track at Doomben suits him better than Eagle Farm because of the shorter straight," he said.

"He's a very laid-back customer and he travelled beautifully. I was just hoping he would give me a kick on the turn and when he did, I knew he was going to be hard to run down."

]Audacious Spirit ($70,000 2009 Premier, 5g Bel Esprit-Roskeel)](http://www.inglis.com.au/sales/horse/314-33/) took his career earnings to $380,000 with victory in the Listed BRC Lough Neagh Stakes over 1350m at Doomben.

Purchased from the draft of Eliza Park Stud for $70,000 by Heinrich Bloodstock from the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale the five-year-old has won 6 times and placed another ten occasions for trainer Gillian Heinrich.