Fresh off a winning treble at Royal Randwick on Christmas Eve, jockey Zac Lloyd has kept the ball rolling with an early win at their Boxing Day meeting.
Piloting the Chris Waller-prepared Pink Baroque ($13), Lloyd was able to get his filly into a perfect run in transit just off the pace from the inside alley before easing off the rails to set out after early leader Pharaoh Magic in the home straight.
The daughter of Caravaggio held off a late effort from Asva ($5.50) by a long neck, with outsider Beauty Crusade ($31) a further length and a half back in third.
Lloyd took full advantage of his low draw, and was grateful for the opportunities given to him by Waller.
“Draws win races and today was no different,” Lloyd said.
“(I) was able to get a lovely run in behind and the horse outside the leader wasn’t going too well, so I able to go through my motions as I liked.
“A big thank you to Mr. Waller and the team for supporting me in town and very happy to get the win.”
After being thereabouts in all three runs prior to today’s victory, Lloyd was confident that his mount could improve enough to play a major role in the outcome. Despite her lack of experience, the 2kg metropolitan apprentice was pleased with the progress the three-year-old has made.
“I was told she was going very well, she ran very well last start,” Lloyd said.
“For a filly like her, quite lightly raced she got herself a bit worked up. It is obviously very hot here today.
“But it was actually a very good win the way she stuck her head out over the last 100m.”
As to how he spent Christmas after a hat-trick of wins the day prior, Lloyd caught up with another famous racing personality. Weighing in at only 48kg’s, the lightweight hoop didn’t stand a chance.
“Gary Harley spent the day with us, so we had a bit of an (eating) competition,” Lloyd quipped.
“I’m lucky I’m light, I had a good feed (but) he absolutely smoked me.
“Obviously it was a losing battle, but it was a very good day and I was happy to spend it with family.”
