Zac Lloyd aiming for extra Group 1 wins at Rosehill

Posted by RS NewsWire at 12:21am on March 26th
Zac Lloyd aiming for extra Group 1 wins at Rosehill

Young rider Zac Lloyd, having relished his Golden Slipper triumph, declares it's "back to business" as he targets further Group 1 additions in the weeks ahead.

Guest House's success in the $5 million Golden Slipper last weekend delivered Lloyd his fourth and most prestigious Group 1, which he described as exceeding his wildest dreams.

"It's good to do it for yourself, but you can make so many other people happy as well," Lloyd said.

"It's a great feeling knowing you have played a part in a weekend so many people won't forget. It's pretty special.

"But back to business now. I've got to try to chase up the feeling again."

Lloyd has engagements in the pair of Group 1s at Rosehill this Saturday, aboard Piggyback for trainer Ciaron Maher in the Tancred Stakes (2400m) and Kiwi filly Belle Cheval in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).

Two-back, Piggyback captured the Parramatta Cup (1900m) and she ran a credible fourth in the Randwick City Stakes (2000m) on her most recent appearance.

In a potent Tancred field boasting traveller Dubai Honour and class mare Aeliana, she'll start at big prices, but it offers strong grounding ahead of her Sydney Cup (3200m) ambitions in two weeks' time.

"She is probably outclassed in a weight-for-age Tancred, but you verse those better horses and it can bring your level up as well," Lloyd said.

"It could be just what she needs before dropping in the weights for a Sydney Cup.

"It will be a tough run, but I think a perfect run for her to be really peaking for the Sydney Cup."

Arriving from New Zealand with dual Group 3 successes, Belle Cheval debuts locally after a thrilling short-head defeat to elite filly Well Written in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) recently.

While the 2000m of the Vinery remains untested, a quick finish could suit, according to Lloyd.

"The 2000 metres with her is an unknown but she is trained by some really good trainers in Mark Walker and Sam (Bergerson) before, and they're confident," he said.

"She is probably going to have the best turn of foot in the race, and if she can run out the 2000, she is going to be right there in the finish."

Having notched a treble on Golden Slipper Day, Lloyd rides in nine from 10 at Rosehill, with three early fancies: Annie's Rose in the Midway Handicap (1300m), Idle Flyer in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m), and King's Secret in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m).

Discover the latest online bookmakers offering markets for the Tancred Stakes.

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