Latest News

Trainer Ron Leemon has called upon one of Australia's most in-form riders in a bid to help Euromaster score a confidence boosting win at Kembla Grange on Thursday.

Euromaster will link up with newly-minted Group 1-winning apprentice Zac Lloyd when the gelding chases a breakthrough success in the Peroni Super 4yo&up Maiden Handicap (1200m).

Lloyd is back in NSW after capturing his maiden Group 1 victory last Saturday aboard Bjorn Baker's Stefi Magnetica in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.

Talented young jockey Zac Lloyd. Image by Bradley Photographers

Lloyd has ridden for Leemon a handful of times already but the pair are chasing their maiden win together with his first ride on Euromaster.

"His father Jeff used to ride for me so that's how we got Zac," Leemon said.

"The girl (Leeshelle Small) who rode him last start is going to be a very good rider but she just doesn't have the strength to pick it up and lift it now.

"We are not claiming so we will have to carry the weight but if luck is on our side we will get there. Weight will be the biggest burden."

With Lloyd outriding his provincial claim, Euromaster will be forced to carry the topweight of 59.5kg - 4.5kg more than some of his rivals.

Euromaster has finished runner-up in three of his four starts to date with two of those coming last preparation at Wyong and Newcastle.

The son of Eurozone returned to Wyong first-up this preparation and just fell short of claiming a maiden when finishing half a length off Let's Go Johnny in a 1200m event.

"They all need that confidence booster," Leemon said. "They all have to take that next step up.

"It's always good to run nice placings and things like that but you have to step up and then they have to improve again.

"Everytime you take that next step you have to keep improving and that's what makes them top horses, that's what they do."

Euromaster is a $2.80 TAB favourite to break his maiden in an even affair where the main challengers include Call Me Grouchy ($3.40) and Criminal Art ($5.50).

Racing is expected to take place on an improving Kembla Grange track which was rated a Soft 6 on Wednesday afternoon.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here