After fully enjoying his success in the Golden Slipper, jockey Zac Lloyd states it’s “back to business” while aiming to boost his Group 1 collection over the next few weeks.
The win aboard Guest House in last weekend’s $5 million Golden Slipper marked Lloyd’s fourth and biggest elite victory, and he noted the occasion surpassed all his expectations.
“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.”
On Saturday, Lloyd is set to compete in both Group 1 events at Rosehill, steering Ciaron Maher’s Piggyback in the Tancred Stakes (2400m) and New Zealand filly Belle Cheval in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
Piggyback took out the Parramatta Cup (1900m) on her penultimate run and finished a respectable fourth in the Randwick City Stakes (2000m) most recently.
Although she’ll be up against long odds in a competitive Tancred featuring international star Dubai Honour and leading mare Aeliana, the contest should serve as ideal preparation for her Sydney Cup (3200m) target in a fortnight.
“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, a two-time Group 3 winner back in New Zealand, arrives for her Australian bow following a near-miss, going down by a short head to top filly Well Written in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) last time out.
The Vinery’s trip is new ground for her, yet should the finish turn into a dash, Lloyd feels he’s got a suitable contender.
“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.”
Lloyd, fresh off a treble on Golden Slipper Day, has mounts in nine of the 10 Rosehill races, including early market leaders Annie’s Rose in the Midway Handicap (1300m), Idle Flyer in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m), and King’s Secret in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m).
Explore the Australian betting sites for top odds in the Tancred Stakes.
