Lloyd celebrates half-century
Zac Lloyd's breakout season continued at Randwick on Saturday with the apprentice bringing up his 50th metropolitan win of the term.
Lloyd was successful aboard Preemptory for Danny Williams in the Highway Handicap (1200m) before making it a double aboard Tamerlane in the penultimate race of the day.
He sits second in the Sydney jockeys' premiership behind only James Mcdonald (81 wins).
The youngster, who has been claiming two kilos in town, will have his claim reduced as a result of his milestone but hopes his momentum can continue.
"I'm down to 1-1/2 (kilo claim) so hopefully we can keep it going," Lloyd said.
"It's a good problem to have, going through quickly."
Lloyd had ridden Preemptory when the horse finished runner-up in a Highway Handicap in February and said a good barrier made the difference on Saturday.
"He's been very unlucky in a couple of his starts and I was very happy when the barriers came out because he's got a great turn of foot," Lloyd said.
"He showed that today and it was a good win."
Global competition to rev-up McDonald
Chris Waller believes the recent international competition in the Sydney riding ranks will inspire champion local hoop James McDonald to even greater heights.
A plethora of the world's best jockeys descended on the autumn carnival at various stages, Ryan Moore plundering the Golden Slipper on Shinzo while the likes of Zac Purton and Joao Moreira also landed majors.
Waller says not only is the global flavour great for racing, but he expects it to push McDonald, who does much of his stable's riding.
"It's been good and I think it's brilliant for James," Waller said.
"I think it will just take James to a whole new level."
Waller was in fine form at Randwick on Saturday where he landed two of the first four races with Osipenko in the Frank Packer Plate (2000m) and Olentia in the James H B Carr Stakes (1400m) before taking out the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) with Militarize.
Olentia came off a benchmark victory at Hawkesbury to land a Group 3 win in a race Waller has claimed twice before with Espiona (2022) and Red Tracer (2011) who both went on to become Group 1 winners.
"Hopefully this horse can continue on like Espiona did," Waller said.
"She's a latecomer and we've taken our time, which Denise (Martin) allows us to do with her horses and we're just starting to see the benefits now.
"I think she's quite an exciting filly. She's untapped and there is still a long way to go."
Vilana bound for Brisbane
Vilana returned an impressive winner in the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick to lay the foundations for a Group 1 assault in Brisbane.
The Godolphin four-year-old was given few favours in the run but class prevailed as the $3.10 favourite raced to a 1-1/4 length victory over Waihaha Falls ($7.50) and Key Largo ($15).
Trainer James Cummings confirmed he had his sights on a Queensland carnival campaign with Vilana who would head towards races like the Doomben 10,000 and Kingsford-Smith Cup.
"We'd love to see him on the stallion roster one day so it would be great if we could target a Group One and pull it off," Cummings said.
"He's got that Brisbane winter carnival written all over him.
"It's a month to the Doomben 10,000, it's six weeks to the Kingsford-Smith Cup.
"They're both good races for the horse and if he can sail through those sort of targets, the Stradbroke is interesting with the big prizemoney and the handicap."
Cup goal for Diamil
John O'Shea is another trainer planning to head north for the winter, keen to target the Group 1 Doomben Cup with Saturday's J R A Plate (2000m) winner Diamil.
The Randwick feature has historically been a handy launchpad to the Queensland carnival and given the depth in Saturday's renewal of the race, which included Group 1 performers Huetor, Sunshine Rising and Lion's Roar, O'Shea expected it to again be a reliable form reference.
"We had in mind that we would go to Brisbane for the Doomben Cup," O'Shea said.
"This race traditionally has always provided horses that have been every effective in the Queensland winter at weight-for-age – Life Less Ordinary, Zaaki ran second in the race, Viewed.
"It's a fair race and I think this was a good version of the race too."
Pride Of Jenni set a hectic tempo, striding out to lead by close to 15 lengths midrace but she was a spent force shortly after turning for home.
Banker's Choice ($7.50) was the first to pounce and kicked strongly before Diamil ($7.50) wore him down to score by a short neck with Huetor ($17) another three-quarters of a length away third.
Regan Bayliss rode Pride Of Jenni and said he "just followed instructions" in setting up a big lead.
O'Shea also revealed Awesome John had returned home from his successful hit-and-run raid on the W A Derby and would now be prepared for the Queensland classic.
Quote of the day: "I might have to go back and have a beer with Giga Kick tonight I think." – Trainer Clayton Douglas after Giga Kick gave him a first Group 1 win in the All Aged Stakes.
