The usual formidable pairing of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald found themselves in opposing corners at Rosehill, a situation the trainer capitalised on.
With Eagle Express ($4) carrying a mere 52kg in Saturday’s Asahi Super Dry Handicap over 1200m, Waller enlisted the services of lightweight hoop Zac Lloyd. Lloyd tracked McDonald, who was at the helm on the eventual fourth-placegetter Hawker Hall ($2.05 fav), before finding an opening along the inside to snatch the win.
“That was the plan today, to get into James’ slipstream and not expose her too early and just have a crack late,” Waller commented. “She’s a talented filly turned mare now. We wanted to see her do that today to justify another year with us.”
A five-year-old, Eagle Express has been raced sparingly, with Saturday’s win her fifth from 21 starts. She performed admirably when tested in black type races during the autumn, and Waller believes she is capable of reaching that level again in the correct race.
“The race next week, the Toy Show Quality, is probably the right race for her. She won’t be running there, but that type of race. A handicap where we can hold her up,” he indicated.
Waller was also effusive in his praise for Lloyd, who completed a double with Eagle Express after an earlier protest win aboard the Brad Widdup-trained Mind Ya Bizz.
Having finished second to McDonald in last season’s Sydney jockeys’ premiership, the young hoop is emerging as a significant talent. Waller noted that Lloyd’s recent international experience, including rides at Royal Ascot and in South Africa, has significantly contributed to his development.
While McDonald remains the benchmark, Waller suggested that the rise of riders like Lloyd fosters a healthy competitive environment for all elite jockeys.
“You don’t want the gap too big and there are a few chomping away,” Waller remarked. “There’s some good, healthy competition. It’s great for James, and it’s good for jockeys when they do some international trips like Zac has done. Jason Collett is in Japan at the moment. We’re the winner, Sydney, when they come back.”
Lloyd is set to miss the following Saturday’s Winx Stakes meeting to compete in the World All-Star Jockeys competition in Japan, continuing his recent international racing appearances.
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