Having made sure to savour his Golden Slipper win, young jockey Zac Lloyd says it’s “back to business” as he looks to add to his Group 1 haul in the coming weeks.
Guest House’s victory in last weekend’s $5 million Golden Slipper gave Lloyd his fourth and most significant major, and he said the moment was everything he dreamed it would be and more.
“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 will ride in both Group 1 races at Rosehill on Saturday, partnering the Ciaron Maher-trained Piggyback in the Tancred Stakes (2400m) and New Zealand filly Belle Cheval in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
Piggyback claimed the Parramatta Cup (1900m) two starts ago and was a solid fourth in the Randwick City Stakes (2000m) at her latest outing.
While she will be among the outsiders in a strong renewal of the Tancred that includes globetrotting warrior Dubai Honour and top mare Aeliana, the race is expected to provide a solid basis 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 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.”
A dual Group 3 winner in New Zealand, Belle Cheval makes her Australian debut after almost pulling off one of the upsets of the season when beaten a short head by star filly Well Written in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) last start.
The distance of the Vinery is unchartered territory, but if the race develops into a sprint home, Lloyd believes he might be on the right horse.
“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, who booted home a winning treble on Golden Slipper Day, has rides in nine of the 10 races at Rosehill and three are early favourites – 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).
