Zac Lloyd has been suspended for 21 race meetings after two careless-riding charges on VRC Oaks Day at Flemington, Racing Victoria stewards confirmed, hours after he won his first Melbourne Group 1 on Proxima Dea.
According to the Racing Victoria stewards’ report, quoted by Betsy and also covered by Punters, Lloyd pleaded guilty to two separate breaches of AR 131(a) from Thursday’s Flemington card.
The bans stack across more than two weeks. The first period starts on Sunday 8 November, so Lloyd remains available for Champions Day at Flemington on Saturday 7 November unless there is a further stewards order.
Read more: VRC Oaks 2026 Field: Proxima Dea Draws Barrier 19
Nine meetings from race one
Stewards said Lloyd (aboard eventual winner Chiringita) pleaded guilty after permitting his mount to shift out near the 150 metres when not clear of Bon Fete, which was steadied. He was suspended for nine race meetings from Sunday 8 November to Sunday 15 November. Stewards took into account his guilty plea, record and assessed the incident as low range.
Twelve more from race two
In race two aboard runner-up Alabama Fox, Lloyd pleaded guilty after shifting in near the 1200 metres when not clear of Bustling, triggering crowding that took in Chakado and Kahhof and tightened Spirit Of Wealth onto the running rail. He received a further 12 race meetings from Monday 16 November until the conclusion of the day meeting on Friday 27 November, and can ride at the Friday night meeting on 27 November. That incident was assessed as mid-range, again with credit for a guilty plea and his record.
Read more: Ben Allen Suspended 16 Meetings Over Melbourne Cup Whip Breach
Mott also suspended
Fellow Group 1-winning rider Jamie Mott (Perilous Fighter) pleaded guilty under AR 132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip two times more than permitted before the 100 metres. Stewards suspended him for seven race meetings from Sunday 8 November to Friday 13 November, with a $500 fine, noting his excellent record and that the mount finished second in a Listed race.
Lloyd’s Oaks win on David Payne’s unbeaten Proxima Dea remains the headline of the day for the young rider, but the double careless-riding ban will keep him off for a significant stretch of the spring and early summer.
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