Trainer and jockey aiming for a change of luck

Trainer Lucinda Boyd blamed jockey error for the defeat of Haaland (NZ) (Pentire) at Morphettville last time out which she hopes can be righted in the Prestige Equine Veterinary Handicap (2500m) at Murray Bridge on Saturday. 

Boyd doesn't like to 'bag' jockeys, but she gave herself a rap over the knuckles for her ride on Haaland when runner-up at Morphettville on September 12. 

Combining training and riding, Boyd partnered with Haaland to win successive races at Sandown and Geelong just on 12 months ago and was having her first ride back aboard the stayer after four starts for other riders. 

"This horse really enjoys the firmer surfaces, and we thought he should have probably won last start," Boyd said. 

"It was a bit more of jockey error, than his fault. 

"When a $101 pop whipped around the field, I didn't want to get sucked into chasing it, but when it did whip around, I probably should have kept my momentum, but it's easy to sit back and say that now. 

"He's a tricky horse, as he can get in front and switch off and I was bearing that in mind because I didn't want that to happen if he was to get past that horse and be in front for too long. 

"I think I probably should have backed him in a little bit more than what I did." 

Haaland has been winless since scoring on Geelong Cup Day last year but said the stayer had been racing well. 

Big weights had forced Boyd from the saddle with claiming apprentices being called on. 

"I've been keen to get back on him," Boyd said. 

"He had big weights at Swan Hill and at Sandown, and to be fair Holly (Durnan) did a really good job on him (three runs back) and that's why we kept her on and claimed the second time, but I was pretty keen to get back on him. 

"He's going well this preparation. He can really sustain a good gallop and now that he's fit, we can use that to his advantage and over a suitable trip as well." 

Boyd concedes she does not get as many rides as she would like but added she was busy with her own team of horses and a young family. 

"It's a bit tricky because people don't enquire for me to ride because I'm not riding all the time," Boyd said. 

"If I ride horses at jump-outs, I'll put my hand up for the race ride, but we've got a young family and our own horses in work, and it's hard juggling everything." 

Boyd, Haaland and the team left for Murray Bridge on Thursday, a plan they used when the stayer was beaten at Morphettville last time. 

"It allows him to settle in," Boyd said. 

"We did that last time when we went to Morphettville.

"We think that is a good recipe."  – RAS Newswire