Lloyd wins AJC Derby

Kiwis steal our Derby
Clinton Payne
Saturday, 26 April 2008

The Murray Baker-trained Nom Du Jeu became the first New Zealand prepared horse since the great Bonecrusher in 1986 to win the $1,8 million G1 David Jones AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick today.

And to add further salt to the Australian wounds, the New Zealand raiders also finished second with Red Ruler claiming the runners-up prize.


Kiwi raider Nom Du Jeu on his way to victory in the AJC Australian Derby - photo by Steve Hart
“I’ve had a lot of faith in this horse,” Baker said of Nom Du Jeu.

“I trained his mother Prized Gem and she won a Brisbane Cup and he’s still six months away but he’s a real stayer and he’s a pretty good horse.”

The victory was also a crowning moment for one of Sydney’s newest jockeys, the former South African Jeff Lloyd, who told Baker earlier in the week that he thought the horse could win the Derby.

“This is the best and biggest win of my career,” Lloyd said.

“I know I’ve ridden a lot of Group One winners back but this is my first one in Australia and it’s a race so rich in history, it’s the best.”


Nom Du Jeu returns to scale with his happy connections - photo by Steve Hart
Nom Du Jeu travelled back at the tail of the field but when they all followed the leaders off the rails, Lloyd grabbed the advantage, staying hard up on the fence and quickly chimed into the race before outstaying his rivals.

“They were going so slow I thought I have to get lucky here and they all got away from the rails,” said Lloyd.

“He made up ground quickly and when he hit the front, never being here before, he swerved quite badly at the 200 metres and I was a bit concerned but when I put a couple around his backside he got his mind back on the job and was too good.”

Fellow kiwi, Red Ruler hit the front on straightening and was no match when joined by Nom Du Jeu but he was a clear second from Littorio which again ran his honest race while the Rosehill Guineas winner Dealer Principal had no luck early out three wide before striding to the front and he battled gallantly in the straight to finish behind the placings in fourth.

Nom Du Jeu 56.5kg ($26) (J.Lloyd) defeated Red Ruler 56.5kg ($26) (C.Newitt) by three quarters of a length with Littorio 56.5kg ($4) (C.Brown) two lengths back in third.

yes he does

now known as Geoffery Lloyd