Apprentice Zac Lloyd has celebrated the biggest win of his fledgling career, earning high praise from trainer Michael Hawkes with his victory aboard Electric Girl in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill.
Indentured to Godolphin head trainer James Cummings, the teenage rider also has close links to the Hawkes stable and was thrilled to team with them to break through for his first stakes success on Saturday.
“When I straightened, I just had to go through my gears slowly and steadily and try not to rush her through it,” Lloyd said.
“She felt like she was going to give me a lot, I just had to help her through that tough 400-metre to 300-metres mark, but she really extended nicely to the line.
“I can’t thank them enough, Mr (John) Hawkes at home and obviously Michael who is here. They’ve really taken me under their wing and it’s been an absolute pleasure.”
Expat ($12 betr.com.au) led the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) field and gave a good kick, only run down by Electric Girl ($8) in the final bounds with the winner scoring by a long neck.
Roots ($7) flashed home late to finish the same margin away third while odds-on favourite Mariamia finished fourth with jockey Tim Clark saying her wide draw proved costly.
“From where she drew we had to follow Expat across and she was chasing a really hot speed,” Clark said.
“She was just near her top for too long and it took away that short, sharp sprint she does have.”
Michael Hawkes confirmed Electric Girl was likely to head to the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at the same venue next month in search of an elusive Group 1 win.
While full of praise for the mare who Hawkes said was “as honest as the day is long”, Hawkes was equally effusive of Lloyd.
“I’ve got to give the kid credit,” Hawkes said.
“He rode her patient, the speed was genuine. I’d probably say it’s his biggest win, a Group Two.
“We’ve always thought a lot of him. I know he is Godolphin’s apprentice but we’ve used him quite a bit, he’s been on a lot of our good horses.
“He’s got a very good teacher in (Godolphin’s Darren) Beadman, a good teacher in his father (former jockey Jeff Lloyd) and last but not least, John Hawkes.”
“He’s going somewhere, that’s for sure.”