Lloyd to stick with Black Opal winner in the Golden Slipper
Zac Lloyd has secured his rides for two of the biggest races in the Sydney autumn carnival after a stellar weekend featuring two major wins.
Lloyd is set to ride Randwick Guineas champion Linebacker at 49kg in the Doncaster Mile (1600m), while Black Opal Stakes winner King Of Pop will be his mount in the Golden Slipper (1200m).
King Of Pop, a talented Farnan colt, maintained his unbeaten record by edging out Farcited, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Lloyd believes the colt has what it takes to compete in the Golden Slipper if he makes the field.
“He gave me a really good feel. I didn’t hesitate to lock in the ride immediately after the race,” Lloyd told Sydney’s Sky Racing radio on Wednesday.
“He jumped well, did everything professionally for a two-year-old, and handled the race perfectly.
“He had to get past Farcited, who is no easy horse to beat, so I’m confident he will be a solid chance in the Slipper.”
Lloyd has also been confirmed to ride Linebacker in the Doncaster Mile, following a tactically brilliant performance that secured the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained three-year-old his first major win.
In claiming victory, Linebacker took down Golden Rose winner and Cox Plate placegetter Broadsiding. Now, he will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Celestial Legend, who completed the Guineas-Doncaster Mile double last year.
“The plan appears to be a four-week lead-up into the Doncaster, just like Celestial Legend did,” Lloyd said.
“As of now, I’ll be riding him at 49kg in the Doncaster.
“It’s tough, but I walk around at 51.5 to 52kg, so with a little bit of dieting, I should get there comfortably.”
Additionally, Lloyd has been confirmed as the rider for Godolphin colt Traffic Warden in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill next Saturday.
Traffic Warden, who resumed with a fifth-place finish in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington last month, is scheduled for an exhibition gallop during Thursday’s Kensington track meeting.
More Racing News
Cavalry Girl eyes Moir Stakes repeat of history
History favours Cavalry Girl as she prepares to extend her winning sequence in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.Since the Moir Stakes was rescheduled to an early September date in 2024, both subsequent champions, Baraqiel and Mornington Glory, had achieved victory in the Carlyon Stakes (1000m) beforehand.Cavalry Girl captured the Carlyon...
Sandown Stakes race sees Maher fillies renew rivalry
The Ciaron Maher stable recently secured a top four finish in a maiden race held at Sandown.Two of the horses from that race are now set to compete in a Stakes race at Sandown, aiming to continue the successful run for the Maher stable.Saintly Dancer and Ghana's Akan, who finished...
Thebudgiesmugla seeks to maintain perfect distance record
A prominent contender in metropolitan races, Thebudgiesmugla has an impeccable record of five wins from five starts over 2400 metres and is aiming to extend this streak to six in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick.This six-year-old gelding was one of the notable performers of the off-season, achieving victory in three...
Blind Raise commences Caulfield Guineas pursuit at Sandown
The connections of Blind Raise harbour aspirations for the colt to be a prominent contender in upcoming spring features, with his campaign set to commence at Sandown.The colt is slated to run in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) on Saturday, a race that could potentially lead to a Group 1...
Green Spaces on track for spring success after Derby win
Despite being the early favourite for the Caulfield Cup and expected to excel at longer distances, jockey Rachel King believes Green Spaces has the potential to surprise in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.The Australian Derby winner showed a good late surge when finishing eighth in the Winx Stakes (1400m) last...
Edmonds confident Extragalactic is primed for Moir Stakes
The journey for Group 1 honours for Extragalactic begins this Saturday in the $750,000 Moir Stakes at Sandown.Trainer Trent Edmonds, based in Pakenham, is set to unveil the four-year-old mare for the first time since her narrow defeat by a nose to Desert Lightning in The Goodwood, a 1000-metre weight-for-age...
Spring ambitions kick-off at Sandown for Zambardo
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable holds considerable expectations for Zambardo, while also conceding the horse must reach new heights.With nominations for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo commences his campaign in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.Zambardo is a lightly raced...
El Castello's Tramway Stakes bid begins with a clean slate
John Thompson expresses satisfaction in commencing El Castello's latest racing campaign with a fresh perspective, maintaining a quiet confidence that the Group 1 victor still possesses untapped talent.The path for the connections of the five-year-old has presented considerable challenges. He distinguished himself as a standout performer of his era by...
Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes
Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for...
Geegees Mistruth readies for Group 1 Moir Stakes challenge
The Mark Walker stable is looking forward to the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth set to make her mark.This 1000-metre Group 1 event is being staged at Sandown this year due to ongoing track renovations and a reconfiguration at Moonee Valley.A competitive field of 13 runners is slated...