Jayden Lloyd is planning a bucket list trip to Singapore to fill spots on his jockey roster before racing in the jurisdiction is shut down later this year.
The Queensland-based son of a gun is aiming to follow in the footsteps of his famous father Geoff by winning the Group 1 Gold Cup on the final day of racing at Kranji later this year.
With many people fleeing racing in Singapore, Mr Lloyd said this was a great chance to race there before it shut down.
“The award for the final year has increased. It’s actually a very good award and we all know it’s going to be shut down, but it’s good to have on your resume,” he said.
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“I always wanted to go over there and ride, but I was running out of time, so I thought it would be a good decision to take a little break from everything here and try my luck in Singapore.
“I was looking for a jockey because some jockeys have already left, so I hope that brings some opportunities.
“We still have really good players like Vlad Duric. I just want to get up there and work hard.”
Geoff Lloyd won the Gold Cup in Singapore in 2006 as part of his success there, and Jayden said he was keen to win the race’s final event.
Jayden Lloyd is looking to make a new start in Singapore. Photo: Grant Peters — Trackside Photography.
He will move there next month.
“I’m going on a two-week holiday and I’ll see you for the first time there in three weeks. I’m really looking forward to it,” Lloyd said.
“My dad won the Gold Cup, their biggest race, and he was there for about two years so he gave me some advice.
“I want to go out there and run for everyone, but I’m not connected to anyone in particular.
“They’ve stepped up everything for the final year. There’s only one race a week, but the prize money has to be good.”
Kranji, which has been racing in Singapore for 180 years, is to be demolished to make way for public housing, with its final competition scheduled to take place on October 4.