Champion apprentice Zac Lloyd outlines G1 dream

Zac Lloyd is the first to admit the challenge of competing against the senior riders in Sydney without a claim will necessitate he rises to another level again.

But he is happier to take a more positive view and instead let the fact he has outridden his allowance so quickly fuel his confidence.

A victory in the opening race at Rosehill on Saturday aboard Holstein followed by another on Hard To Say 35 minutes later propelled Lloyd to a milestone 80 metropolitan wins, a mark at which junior riders relinquish their claims.

The 19-year-old, who is indentured to Godolphin’s James Cummings, was thrilled with his achievement while being realistic about what it means.

“It was good to get it done early. I went through it quite quickly, which can be a bit of a worry, but it’s a good problem to have and hopefully the support continues,” Lloyd said.

With the 2022-23 Sydney apprentices’ title under his belt, Lloyd is keen to attempt a defence of his crown, but he has also set himself a few other goals to start the latest racing term.

“It’ll be a different season with no claim and it will be a good compliment to complete it,” Lloyd said.

“But it’s not my main goal. I have a couple of other goals in mind, but it’s a challenge and I’ll be looking towards it.

“(A) Group One is definitely my ambition.

“Hopefully the claim doesn’t shy James away from putting me on. I still have to ride well and get the job done.”

Lloyd will also need to shift some of his focus to staying out of the stewards’ room after copping two careless riding suspensions to start the season.

He incurred a penalty at the midweek Kensington program, then again fell foul of stipes when attempting to barge out on Kirkeby in the third race at Rosehill on Saturday, severely hampering James Mcdonald on United Nations.

Chief steward Steve Railton told Lloyd he needed to act with more care.

“As James (McDonald) says, if his horse is going a bit better, the only position he can be in is on the ground,” Railton told Lloyd.

Lloyd’s penalties will be served cumulatively, beginning on August 6 and expiring on August 27 meaning he will miss three Saturday meetings, including the Group 1 Winx Stakes program on August 19.