Annabel Neasham-trained duo of Zaaki and Top Ranked have returned in good order
It was only yesterday that provincial and country jockey Brodie Loy was plying his trade at a Sapphire Coast Showcase meeting, but he improved his quality of steer by taking a pair of Annabel Neasham-trained top liners for a spin at the Rosehill trials this morning.
Neasham’s Mackinnon Stakes winner Zaaki blew out the cobwebs in a 900m Group Trial on the course proper before her The Hunter placegetter Top Ranked kicked off his preparation in the heat following, with Loy in the irons for both.
Whilst he was five lengths away in eighth, Loy was taken with how well Zaaki has come back.
“I think the instructions were just try and stay on he was feeling that fresh,” Loy told SEN’s Andrew Bensley this morning.
“He nearly dropped me going onto the track, and he nearly dropped me after the trial.
“He’s got that attitude about him where I think he knows he’s good, so we just kept him under a hold this morning.
“I think (regular rider James Mcdonald) J Mac couldn’t keep his eyes off him as well.”
Loy was also full of praise for Irish import Top Ranked who has only had one start for Neasham, running third in last year’s $1 million The Hunter. The six-year-old entire was beaten less than four lengths behind Wild Ruler and champion sprinter Nature Strip in his 900m hit-out this morning.
“I think he’s a serious horse, I have a pretty big opinion,” Loy said.
“With Zaaki I think Annabel had the whole prep, with this horse she only had a few weeks to get him ready for The Hunter and then back out (for a spell).
“I think he’s a really really exciting horse, he gives me probably the best feel of the stable so I really like him.
“With the All Star Mile coming up he’s a bit unknown, so a lot of people probably wouldn’t vote for him. But if he can get over the mile like he’s done overseas, he’s just a machine.”
The chance to get to sit on the back of these elite thoroughbreds was not lost on Loy, who sees this as a stepping stone to future opportunities.
“It’s good to get on a couple of Ferraris this morning before I jump back in my Audi Q3,” Loy mused.
“It’s good to warm the seat up for a few others, but hopefully I can just keep biding my time and eventually the opportunity will come.”
