Apprentice Zac Lloyd has celebrated an important first at Rosehill, booting home a winner at his maiden ride for the powerful Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard.
The Tulloch Lodge trainers have been keen to secure Lloyd’s services for some time but given he is indentured to Godolphin and also has a strong relationship with the Hawkes stable, the promising young rider has been hard to get.
The stars finally aligned for Waterhouse and Bott when they locked in Lloyd for the mount on Resonator in Saturday’s Racing For Good on July 29 Handicap (1500m) and the youngster got the job done with aplomb.
“He’s doing so well. We’ve been watching him and admiring him and probably getting beaten by him a few times,” Bott said.
“That early part of the race was the key and it was a lovely, measured ride by Zac.
“He was able to get across, not spend too much petrol and that allowed him to execute the mid stages well and have plenty left in the tank.”
Lloyd was just as thrilled to get the partnership off to a winning start.
Locked in an enthralling battle with Dylan Gibbons for the Sydney apprentices’ title just a month out from the end of the season, every victory is important.
But positive relationships in the industry even moreso, and Lloyd believes the way Tulloch Lodge train their horses to race on-speed suits his riding style.
“I obviously ride a lot for Godolphin and have a good connection with the Hawkes camp, but today things worked out and I’ve got a couple of opportunities for Mrs Waterhouse and Mr Bott and I’m glad it all went to plan,” Lloyd said.
“I think I’ll really suit their way of training. I love to get out in front and I’m confident riding in that style.”
Resonator has now won his past two starts in succession and Bott believes there are more in store for the three-year-old.
“A really honest horse, a very nice, progressive type of horse and I’m sure there’s still a lot more upside,” Bott said.
“That’s the style of racing he likes. He may not necessarily win by big, flash margins but I think if he’d been challenged late he would keep finding and keep responding for you.”
Resonator ($3.40 fav) scored by three-quarters of a length over Gracilistyla ($4) with Oakfield Waratah ($4.60) the same margin away third.
Lloyd narrowly missed making it a double for Tulloch Lodge when Hi Dubai was beaten a nose by Waverider Buoy in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1100m).