Jeff Lloyd plays tactics close to chest

Jockey Jeff Lloyd says from barrier 1 in the $10 million Everest he doesn’t have to lead on Houtzen.

Brisbane’s premier jockey Jeff Lloyd is keeping his riding tactics close to his chest as he prepares for his ride on Houtzen in the $10 million Everest at Randwick.

Lloyd rode a record 133 metropolitan winners in Queensland last season but in none of them did he face the pressure he will be under in the world’s richest race on turf on Saturday.

Houtzen drew barrier one in the 1200m-race and most expect Lloyd to use her explosive speed out of the barriers to lead.

But the veteran former South African jockey, who has ridden successfully all over the world, is not committing himself to one set of tactics.

“If I had drawn barrier 10 or 11 there would have been only one choice – to lead. But from barrier one there are more options,” Lloyd said.

“Should they want to go mad early I would be happy to take a sit behind them. Barrier one is a big advantage in a race like this.

“I want to see how the track is playing and how the speed in other races is working out before I get too carried away.

Lloyd has been a big fan of Houtzen throughout her career and helped sway trainer Toby Edmonds to run in the Everest.

He was impressed with the way she hit the line when she won the Group Three Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last Friday week.

Lloyd, 56, is so happy with Houtzen he has elected to ride at his lightest weight in five years at 51kg in the Everest

“I think she won at Moonee Valley with authority and I wasn’t worried about the margin,” he said.

Lloyd has shed four kilograms in the past fortnight and is walking around at 50.5kg,

“I didn’t have to do any special diet or go to the gym. I just watched what I ate and continued to work hard and the weight came off,” he said.

Lloyd, who has won the past two Brisbane premierships, is now handling his own riding bookings and expects to step it up once his Sydney commitment is finished.

“I have been considering doing it for a while and felt it was the right time,” Lloyd said.

Houtzen’s trainer Toby Edmonds is taking the pressure of his biggest ever assignment in his stride.

“As I always say, it is what it is. She is fit and I think she can run a big race,” Edmonds said.

“Jeff has been professional as ever in the lead-up and I am looking forward to the occasion.”