“It’s easy to pick on the kids”: Hawkes defends Lloyd following Waterhouse criticism

Leading trainer Wayne Hawkes has defended Zac Lloyd’s ride aboard Lady Of Camelot in last Saturday’s Moir Stakes.

Lloyd, riding for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, drew criticism from Waterhouse after the young hoop failed to take up the lead over the 1000m trip.

Given it was his second career race-ride at Moonee Valley, Waterhouse believes the race was lost after Lloyd made the decision to not push forward out of the gates.

Lloyd is one of few riders that could make the light weight of 50kgs on the weekend and the champion trainer hinted that the lack of big race experience got the better of the 19-year-old hoop.

“I think that she ran very well,” Waterhouse said.

“The young boy is a fine rider, but he has only had the two rides at The Valley.

“What you gain in weight you may lose in experience. The more they ride The Valley, the better you are.

“I think the race was lost when he didn’t take the lead ... maybe, just a lack of experience, but all I know is that she will improve vastly.

“She will go home now for her next run.”

However, Hawkes isn’t copping the criticism from Waterhouse.

“I disagree, simple as that,” Hawkes told SENTrack.

“You’re allowed your opinion and she’s the trainer of the horse and that’s what she thought so well and good.

“Gee, when I went and watched the race and replay a couple of times and you could clearly see Zac niggle the horse a couple of times and try and get her to the lead but there was no chance of him taking on Mornington Glory and getting to the front.

“It was absolutely no chance, I thought it was very tough on Zac Lloyd and then to turn around and say that he’s only ridden at Moonee Valley twice, well why put him on?

“If he’s only ridden at Moonee Valley twice, why actually do that? I’ve got no issue with someone saying their own opinion but make sure that when it’s James McDonald or Tim Clark or one of the top riders that screws it up that you do the same thing.

“It’s easy to pick on the kids.”

Lady Of Camelot finished third behind Hayasugi (second) and Mornington Glory (first).