A first Perth ride in Ascot is the next chapter on young jockey Zac Lloyd's meteoric rise.
With Overpass the sentimental favourite to annex a third The Quokka (1,200m) in as many runs of Western Australia's richest race at A$5 million (S$4.2 million) on April 26, Lloyd's ride Headwall, and Front Page (to be ridden by the other Sydney gun rider, Tyler Schiller), have flown a little under the radar for the interstate trio.
But Lloyd, who was born in South Africa but moved to Australia at the age of four to follow his father, former champion jockey Jeff Lloyd, is not writing off his chances of marking that new milestone in the best possible way.
Lloyd, whose elder brother Jaden rode three winners at Kranji in 2024, is no stranger to flying starts. His very first ride at Dalby, Queensland on Nov 27, 2020, on a horse named Satine was a winner when he was only 17.
While Headwall's third to Briasa in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1,200m) at Randwick on April 5 was his only time in the reins, he liked what he saw when he dug up his past runs - be it his six wins or close defeats in 16 starts for Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith.
"He went fantastic in the TJ. Obviously, he was an outsider (30-1) in the race, but he still gave me a good feeling in his trial the week prior," said Lloyd.
"I knew he was going to run a big race. Ultimately, there was no tempo and he got stuck behind a few struggling horses.
"I was really stiff at the top of the straight, but when he got out, he quickened well.
"His run was still full of merit. He's got a turn of foot that can win Group 1s."
Smith must have shared the same sentiments as he did ship his charge down south in Melbourne for two daring stabs at elite level.
While the Dream Ahead five-year-old did not score, he lost no marks against two Australian stars. He ran fourth to Jimmysstar in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1,100m) at Caulfield on Feb 22 and second to Joliestar in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1,200m) at Flemington on March 8.
Lloyd said the efforts were even more laudable given that he still performed to his best at weight-for-age level.
"He's done everything but winning. He ran two massive races in handicap conditions and people doubted how he'd go weight-for-age," he said.
"He's proven he's definitely up to it now that he's matured.
"He goes to Perth with a big chance. Obviously beating Overpass is not going to be easy, but I'm very happy with the ride I have."
Lloyd's hopes to get on a few earlier rides to get the lay of the land have been heard by local trainer Luke Fernie.
The Ascot conditioner has booked him on two rides, including one in the other feature race of the day for good measure, Just Too Fly in the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1,200m), slated one race before The Quokka.
Lloyd's baptism of fire around Ascot will come on Tawkin' Jibberish in Race 2.
"The best thing for me is to get a few earlier couple of rides in the day, no matter if they're fancied or not," said Lloyd who rode at the EW Barker meeting at Kranji in 2024, with two seconds on Energy Baby and Lim's Dreamwalker as his best results.
"It's just to learn my way around, so that, come The Quokka, I got a bit more familiarity."
Should Lloyd's three rides come up short, he has an earlier strong chance of hitting another landmark in his budding career.
On 399 wins, many for his main supporter, powerhouse outfit Godolphin, he has a full book at the eight-race programme on the Randwick-Kensington track on April 25 to reach the 400-win mark.
manyan@sph.com.sg
