Apprentice jockey Zoe Lloyd has been given permission to ride in the metropolitan area and will commence her city career this Saturday at Morphettville.
She has two rides lined up including May’s West and Alpine Beau – the latter a horse that partner Sam Payne won on in July for her employing trainer John Hickmott and Carrina Riggs.
Zoe says if it wasn’t for the support of Sam, and also John and Carrina, she might not have had the courage to finally apply for her metro license.
“It was my first time (applying). I held off for a while trying to get my confidence up for races then Johnny came along and said ‘you are ready you have to do it’.
“I was pretty excited to get the all-clear. I feel like it’s going to be my first race ride again – that’s the level of excitement,” said Zoe.
The 25-year-old relocated to South Australia with her partner Sam at the start of 2023 and the move to Murray Bridge is paying off for both of them.
Sam is coming off a career best season and Zoe is building momentum in the final year of her apprenticeship.
“I’m getting so many more rides than I was in Victoria and the more rides the better. I just want to get on a really good roll now because I don’t have long left of my apprenticeship and being injured in-between didn’t help (December ‘22).
“I’m trying to make a name for myself, and it will definitely be a lot easier now on Saturday’s. I won’t be Sam’s chauffer any more because I’ll be out there riding myself,” joked Zoe.
