Godolphin unveil Epsom Handicap 2023 contender

Zac Lloyd has celebrated a Group race double at Randwick, adding the Tramway Stakes aboard Godolphin’s Pericles to his Furious Stakes win on the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Tiz Invincible.

The champion Sydney apprentice was riding at his first Saturday meeting since returning from a three-week suspension, which stemmed from two separate careless riding charges incurred last month.

But he wasted no time making his mark, getting the job done as a late replacement for James McDonald aboard Tiz Invincible, before leading throughout on Pericles for boss James Cummings.

“That was an enormous win because he’s done that with a lot of ease, very classy,” Lloyd said.

“I can’t thank the team enough for the opportunities, I’m just happy enough to get the job done. It’s very special.”

Perciles ($4.40) had a length to spare over Skyman ($101) with Hope In Your Heart ($6.50) an eye-catching third, another three-quarters of a length away.

The Godolphin four-year-old is now unbeaten in two runs from a spell and Cummings is keen to raise the bar and either run him in the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in two weeks, or go directly to the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on September 30.

“Pericles has just come back in faultless fashion hasn’t he? Two out of two this prep and he’s enjoying himself,” Cummings said.

“The time-honoured Channel 7 Stakes in two weeks looks pretty good. It’s sitting there at weight-for-age over a mile.

“If I choose to miss it, then you go straight to the Epsom, but by winning the weight-for-age in two weeks, the weights will have already been out and he would be exempt from a penalty.”

Olentia started a $2.60 favourite and finished fifth in what jockey Kerrin McEvoy said was a tough effort.

“We weren’t able to get any cover just in behind the speed,” McEvoy said.

“She was a credible run all the way to the line.”

About RS NewsWire

Racing and Sports is a global publisher of online horse racing form and information, and a leader in interactive racing technology. Racing and Sports is at the cutting-edge of information technology, allowing businesses and website users first access to emerging technologies.

Bookmaker Why Bet Sign Up Full Review
Bet Now at ladbrokes Back Yourself with Ladbrokes! Join Review
Bet Now at neds Back a Winner with Neds! Join Review
Bet Now at palmerbet Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes! Join Review
Bet Now at tab Sign up to TAB and start betting in minutes! Join Review
Bet Now at playup Sign up to PlayUp and start betting in minutes! Join Review