Ciaron Maher has lauded the talent and maturity of apprentice Zac Lloyd after the 19-year-old produced a superb ride to win the Tea Rose Stakes on exciting filly Tiz Invincible.
Maher said he didn’t think twice about putting Lloyd on Tiz Invincible on Saturday despite the junior hoop now riding without a claim.
“He doesn’t ride like a claimer so it is not even a thing,” Maher said.
“His confidence and what he has been doing is right up with the best of them. He continues to show it, confidence is everything.
“It’s not very often you get the kids who make that transition seamlessly, like Nick Ryan and Blake Shinn who were very good apprentices and went straight on with it.”
Lloyd found a beautiful trailing position on Tiz Invincible ($3.20 fav) then angled her through an inside split in the straight before bursting clear to win the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) by 1-1/2 lengths.
Kimochi ($4) fought on bravely after a wide run for second with Tropical Squall ($5.50) another three-quarters of a length away.
Maher said Tiz Invincible was still improving and he could see no reason she wouldn’t cope with a distance rise to 1600m in the Group 1 Flight Stakes in a fortnight.
“It was a bit of a test today, up to 1400m, but she relaxed beautifully and I’m really looking forward to the Flight Stakes,” Maher said.
“She has always shown us plenty, but I feel she has so much in front of her, she has so much developing to do.”
Kimochi has now finished second to Tiz Invincible in the Furious and Tea Rose Stakes and trainer Gary Portelli is keen to give her another bite of the cherry in the Flight.
“She didn’t get much luck early but that’s the way it goes,” Portelli said.
“She has fought on well, the best filly beat us on the day.
“See you in a fortnight.”
