Zac Lloyd has ridden back-to-back features at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, this time causing a major upset with Airman ($41.00) in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m).
In a race consider to be a $20 million Everest (1200m) audition, both Bella Nipotina ($2.40) and Giga Kick ($3.00) had been well-supported prior to the jump, along with the Joseph Pride-trained Think About It ($4.20).
The team Hawkes-trained Airman was able to hold a position on the back of leading duo, Coal Crusher ($51.00) and Mazu ($7.00), skipping along the inside running rail to save all the ground in the final 400m.
Giga Kick was given every chance under James McDonald, but just didn’t let down after securing the one-one in the middle stages, while Bella Nipotina was unlucky finding nothing but backsides when trying finish off under Craig Williams.
Think About It was never in the hunt after being dragged back to last under Jason Collett, while Mazu was still holding his position when the whips were cracking.
It left punters with a grandstand to the Premiere Stakes, with Airman getting the head down where it mattered most at a massive price with horse racing bookmakers.
2024 Group 2 Premiere Stakes Replay – Airman
Michael Hawkes was on course to breakdown the win and praised Zac Lloyd for his confidence pre-race, suggesting the son of I Am Invincible was a major player heading into Saturday.
“I’ve got to give Zac credit,” said Hawkes.
“Before the race we talked about it, and as cocky as he is, he just said, ‘listen, we’ll win this and get in The Everest’. I said, ‘mate, go and do it’.
“So, you know what, I’ve got to give Zac credit. He rode the perfect race. The horse has been knocking on the door, we just changed a few things up and here we are.
“We’ve always known he’s had the ability but to do what he did today, he’s beat some creditable horses, and he’s a good horse on his day.
“He’s actually pretty easy to do anything with. But like most males, I suppose, when they get a bit older they get a bit long in the tooth.
“He’s only young but in saying that he’s always shown ability. It’s great.”
Zac Lloyd was delighted with the performance of his gelding and didn’t discount his chances landing in an Everest slot.
“I’ve always had a lot of confidence in this horse,” said Lloyd.
“So has Michael. But to win that race, I’m a bit surprised. I like to build my confidence before I get on a horse but I didn’t think it would work that much.
“But he’s a very good horse, he just hasn’t shown it this prep. We got a lovely run. He was comfortable. And he won well.
“You’ve got horses like Think About It, Bella Nipotina, Giga Kick over six furlongs and he’s beat them there with set weights. So you’d be silly not to think he was competitive for sure.
“He’s always had the ability, he’s just needed to put it together.”
Although Airman remains without a slot for now, he has firmed from $101.00 into $34.00 for the Everest (1200m) on October 19.
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