Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Former Kiwi galloper Saltcoats has had his convictions since crossing the ditch but jockey Zac Lloyd feels he’s linked up with the gelding at a time he’s putting it all together.

Zac Lloyd (Pic: Bradley Photos).

While the five-year-old, who joined Chris Waller after three starts, won twice in the summer Lloyd said comments from his trackwork rider suggest he’s a different horse this preparation and he has every reason to be confident going into the Group 3 $250,000 The Agency Real Estate Premier’s Cup (2000m).

Lloyd rode Saltcoats for the first time when he ran into third behind Robusto in the Winter Challenge before they turned the Premier’s Cup Prelude into a one act affair last week.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to meet up with him at this time of year and he’s very competitive and going well,’’ Lloyd said.

“I don’t see why he can’t produce a similar performance on Saturday as he did last start.

“It’s a very winnable race again and the horse is going really well so I can’t fault him.”

Saltcoats, $2.40 with TAB on Thursday, always travelled comfortably for Lloyd in the Prelude, which was transferred from the washed out meeting two weeks ago to the Kensington track last Wednesday, and that was a repeat of how he felt in his second-up run.

Lloyd said if that’s the way he reacts again on Saturday he can be confident he’s on the horse to beat once again, though he doesn’t have the advantage of barrier one this time.

“Even over the 1500m where it was a bit sharp for him he still jumped really well and wanted to travel on the bridle and it’s helping him put himself in a far better position to win the race,’’ he said.

“He felt like he got over the ground great, albeit it wasn’t as wet as it will be on Saturday, and I don’t think it will faze him. On a relatively quick back up it’s always a good thing he has good residual fitness.

“He’s definitely making life pretty easy for himself.

“We have a wide-ish draw but on first glance there doesn’t look much speed underneath us and I do think he can bounce and roll forward and put himself in a winnable spot.”

Godolphin galloper Corniche has been part of Lloyd’s life for some time and he’ll make his debut for Ciaron Maher in the Group 3 $250,000 Hyland Race Colours Show County Quality (1200m).

The gelding, a winner on a heavy 10 as a three-year-old, had his first run for nine months when he finished an eye-catching third in the July Sprint (1100m) last month at Rosehill.

“I think he is a very good ride, it makes life a bit easier with Autumn Glow coming out of the race,’’ Lloyd said.

“He loves the wet, I’ve obviously had a lot to do with him since he was a baby. He ran very well first-up and he probably needed that run having such a long time off.

“In saying that he’s also had another five weeks off so he will improve again from this run but he will be in with a good chance for sure.”

Lloyd, who turned 22 earlier this week, opens the Randwick card with Against The Law in the Midway Handicap (1200m) and says if the in-form galloper lines up it’s an endorsement that trainer Bryce Heys isn’t concerned about the testing ground.

He carried 61kg when run down by Estremo on a heavy 8 at Canterbury just over two weeks ago.

Saltcoats wins at Kensington on August 13

“He’s a very nice horse for that sort of grade,’’ he said.

“I do think a wet track isn’t his favourite surface but he’s maturing well and is relaxing a lot better in his races and it’s helping him finish off.

“It’s a winnable race for him but he’s an unknown on that sort of track.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting