Jockey Zac Lloyd has continued his stellar Sydney autumn carnival with a four-timer at Rosehill, highlighted by his Group 1 victory aboard Kiwi filly Belle Cheval in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Seven days after taking out the $5 million Golden Slipper aboard Guest House – one of three winners for him on last weekend’s program – Lloyd has again showcased his class.
He opened his account on Annie’s Rose in the Midway Handicap (1300m), then added wins aboard Belle Cheval in the Vinery (2000m), Idle Flyer in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m) and Welwal in the Doncaster Prelude (1500m).
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, who also prepared Guest House, Welwal responded strongly to the addition of blinkers and a rain-affected track to record his first win since November 2024.
“He was fantastic, that horse. Geez, he let rip and he’s won that convincingly,” Lloyd said.
“The blinkers have done good work, and he was just there ready to go.”
The winner of the Doncaster Prelude is exempt from ballot for the Doncaster Mile (1600m) next Saturday, although that is irrelevant for Welwal, who is not nominated and cannot be added late due to the handicap conditions.
Price was nonetheless delighted with the victory, noting it was deserved reward after a string of unlucky runs.
“Trainers always say, my horse had no luck after the race, but it is true,” Price said.
“He needs a bit of room around him and a soft track, and this distance, and he’s a nice horse.
“(Owner) Alf Gauci has been a client of ours for thirty years and hopefully he’s having a few tears right now, because he does wear his heart on his sleeve.”
Welwal ($11) showed a sharp turn of foot in the straight to score by 1-1/2 lengths over Feroce ($12), with Lord Penman ($15) finishing strongly into third, another three-quarters of a length away.
