Fresh from a midweek double, Zac Lloyd will bid to continue his good form at Randwick where he has a full book of rides, four of them for leading trainer Chris Waller.
Sydney’s champion apprentice for the past two seasons, Lloyd completed his indentures with Godolphin at the end of November and while their runner numbers have tapered off over the summer, he continues to receive strong support from a variety of stables.
Along with his quartet of rides for Waller, Lloyd will also team with Ciaron Maher, John Thompson (two), David Payne and Danny Williams on Saturday as he looks to continue to consolidate his position among the senior jockey ranks.
“Godolphin’s numbers have drastically decreased (during the summer) and they’re my number one supporter, so that has made it a bit hard,” Lloyd said.
“But I’m getting nice rides from many trainers and I’m getting some nice rides for Chris Waller. I trialled (Waller’s Flight Stakes winner) Lady Shenandoah on Monday, so it’s going well.”
Lloyd’s Randwick book includes the Waller-trained Starman in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m).
While the six-year-old only has three wins from 28 starts, his past two efforts have been full of merit, including a last start second to Yorkshire over 1350m at Wyong when he made late ground under Lloyd’s steering.
“He is a horse who struggles to win, but he is racing really well,” Lloyd said.
“He ran into Yorkshire last start, who is probably a Group horse in the making, so he was a bit outclassed there.
“But he has a good barrier (four) on Saturday and he is in good form.
“If there is a day for him to win, it could be Saturday.”
Starman was an $8 chance with betting sites on Thursday, while five of Lloyd’s remaining rides were marked at $7.50 and under, including promising filly Qatars Choice ($5) for Maher in the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale 9-11 Feb Handicap (1400m).
A $950,000 yearling buy, Qatars Choice is by I Am Invincible out of Group 1 winner Fenway and broke her maiden in stylish fashion with a dominant first-up win at Canterbury on New Year’s Day.
