Following his Golden Slipper conquest, emerging jockey Zac Lloyd affirms it’s “back to business” in pursuit of more Group 1 scalps in the near future.
Last weekend’s $5 million Golden Slipper win with Guest House was Lloyd’s fourth Group 1 success and his finest, a moment he said topped all his aspirations.
“It’s good to do it for yourself, but you can make so many other people happy as well,” Lloyd said.
“It’s a great feeling knowing you have played a part in a weekend so many people won’t forget. It’s pretty special.
“But back to business now. I’ve got to try to chase up the feeling again.”
Lloyd takes the mounts in Rosehill’s double Group 1 card on Saturday, riding Piggyback prepared by Ciaron Maher in the Tancred Stakes (2400m) plus filly Belle Cheval from New Zealand in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
Piggyback saluted in the Parramatta Cup (1900m) her second-up and was fourth in the Randwick City Stakes (2000m) last time.
She’ll be a roughie amid Tancred stars like Dubai Honour and Aeliana, but the hit-out suits her Sydney Cup (3200m) campaign in two weeks.
“She is probably outclassed in a weight-for-age Tancred, but you verse those better horses and it can bring your level up as well,” Lloyd said.
“It could be just what she needs before dropping in the weights for a Sydney Cup.
“It will be a tough run, but I think a perfect run for her to be really peaking for the Sydney Cup.”
Belle Cheval brings dual Group 3 form from NZ and debuts here off a narrow short-head second to Well Written filly in the NZB Kiwi (1500m).
The Vinery distance is a query, though Lloyd rates her closing speed highly if it quickens.
“The 2000 metres with her is an unknown but she is trained by some really good trainers in Mark Walker and Sam (Bergerson) before, and they’re confident,” he said.
“She is probably going to have the best turn of foot in the race, and if she can run out the 2000, she is going to be right there in the finish.”
On Golden Slipper Day, Lloyd landed a treble and has nine rides from 10 at Rosehill, with Annie’s Rose (Midway Handicap 1300m), Idle Flyer (Emancipation Stakes 1500m) and King’s Secret (Star Kingdom Stakes 1200m) among the early picks.
Check racing betting markets for Tancred Stakes options.
