Former champion Sydney apprentice Zac Lloyd has wasted no time making an impact as a senior rider, posting his first win as a fully-fledged jockey aboard the Chris Waller-trained Ring Me Up at Rosehill.
Lloyd, who started his career in country Queensland before serving the latter part of his apprenticeship under Godolphin head trainer James Cummings in the harbour city, came out of his time midweek but due to suspension, didn’t make his debut as a senior hoop until Saturday.
Around the mark at his first three rides, including a close second aboard Terrestar in the fourth race, Lloyd got the monkey off his back with a brilliant steer aboard the Ingham family-owned Ring Me Up in the Chandon Garden Spritz Handicap (1800m).
“I’ve had three rides and I’ve had a fourth, a third and a second, so it was coming,” Lloyd said.
“It was good to get a winner for Chris and the Inghams for my first win as a senior. Hopefully there are many more to come.”
Lloyd has been riding without a claim this season and sits in the top five on the Sydney jockeys’ premiership, mixing it with experienced hoops the ilk of James Mcdonald, Nash Rawiller and Kerrin Mcevoy.
He is widely regarded as prodigious talent, and Waller is among his many fans.
“He’s a shining star,” Waller said.
“He is in the right city to learn off the James’, the Nashs the Kerrins. It’s important we’ve got this younger generation coming through, when James (McDonald) ducks off to Hong Kong someone is there ready to fill the void.”
While acknowledging his senior milestone, 21-year-old Lloyd says it doesn’t feel much different given he has been competing without a claim for some time.
“It feels the same to me. People like to make a bit of a deal out of it, which is fair enough. It’s four years of your life where you’re in a routine and then you’ve obviously got to change it,” Lloyd said.
“But riding-wise, I don’t think much changes. I just ride horses in a circle and try to be the first to the winning post.”
Ring Me Up posted her fifth win in 10 starts and Waller expected her to more than pay her way over the summer.
“We thought enough of her to think she could be a Queensland Oaks filly. She didn’t end up getting there, but she is a promising horse who will improve with time,” Waller said.
“I think she will get to 2000-metres, no problem and it’s the right time of the year for horses like this to win some good prizemoney.”