Zac Lloyd Savors Golden Slipper Triumph Before Targeting More Group 1 Success
Young jockey Zac Lloyd is basking in the glow of his Golden Slipper victory but is already shifting focus to adding more Group 1 wins to his growing resume. Lloyd's triumph aboard Guest House in last weekend's $5 million Golden Slipper marked his fourth major win and his most significant achievement to date.
"It's good to do it for yourself, but you can make so many other people happy as well," Lloyd said of his emotional Slipper victory. "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 the rising star isn't resting on his laurels. "Back to business now," Lloyd declared. "I've got to try to chase up the feeling again."
Dual Group 1 Challenges at Rosehill
Lloyd will test his skills in both Group 1 races at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, taking the mount on Piggyback in the Tancred Stakes (2400m) and Belle Cheval in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
The Ciaron Maher-trained Piggyback enters the Tancred Stakes after claiming the Parramatta Cup (1900m) two starts back and finishing a solid fourth in the Randwick City Stakes (2000m) at her latest outing. While she faces tough competition including globetrotting warrior Dubai Honour and top mare Aeliana, Lloyd sees this as ideal preparation for her Sydney Cup (3200m) goal 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 explained. "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."
New Zealand Filly Makes Australian Debut
Belle Cheval, a dual Group 3 winner in New Zealand, makes her Australian debut in the Vinery Stud Stakes after nearly pulling off a major upset last start when beaten a short head by star filly Well Written in the NZB Kiwi (1500m).
The 2000-meter distance represents uncharted territory for the filly, but Lloyd believes her finishing speed could prove decisive. "The 2000 metres with her is an unknown but she is trained by some really good trainers in Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, 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."
Full Card of Opportunities
Fresh from booting home a winning treble on Golden Slipper Day, Lloyd has secured rides in nine of the ten races at Rosehill this Saturday. Three of his mounts are early favorites:
- Annie's Rose in the Midway Handicap (1300m)
- Idle Flyer in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m)
- King's Secret in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m)
The young jockey's remarkable rise continues as he balances savoring his biggest career moment with the relentless pursuit of more success at racing's highest level.
