Former Victorians Win Red Centre's Feature Mare Races

Former Victorians, apprentice Craig Lloyd and mare Lady Lyn, combined to capture one of the feature races at Pioneer Park this afternoon on Alice Springs Cup Day in the $12,100 Centreracing Queen of the Desert Stakes (1200m).

At her first start for new trainer Kerry Petrick, Lady Lyn proved much too classy for her rivals in a dominant sprinting performance.

Formerly trained by John Gunning in Victoria, Lady Lyn was sent out as the hot favourite for the red centre debut with an impressive record of six wins and eleven placings and earnings of over $109,000.

She got into the race well at the weights after a three kilogram claim for former Victorian apprentice Craig Lloyd.

Lloyd, formerly based with Group One winning trainer John Symons, moved to Darwin after a heavy fall in Victoria.

"I was with John (Symons) and I was on the sidelines after a bad fall. I went up to Darwin to recover and get back in the saddle again and get some confidence back in the smaller fields," Lloyd said.

He is enjoying his most successful season with 11 winners and over 30 placegetters from about 107 rides.

The Petrick stable, which now races Lady Lyn, are enjoying a great season with other recent winners including the in form Le Niska.

A brilliant winner at the track on Saturday, Le Niska is one of five winners from just 20 starts for the accomplished Darwin horsewoman this season.

Meanwhile, another Victorian jockey was among the early winners on Cup Day this afternoon.

Mark Pegus partnered the Darwin veteran Brandy and Ice to a comprehensive victory in the $12,100 Oamps Insurance Brokers Handicap (1000m).