Zac Lloyd & Chris Waller have combined with Lady Shenandoah ($2.40) to claim victory in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) winner making a statement on resumption.
The Snitzel filly justified a wealth of support with horse racing bookmakers prior to the jump, with the three-year-old firming into a clear $2.40 favourite as they left the gates.
Lloyd was positive from the outset from barrier seven, eventually finding the leaders’ back throughout the journey as the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Lady Of Camelot ($3.10) strode to the front under Tim Clark.
Lilac ($17.00) went forward to sit to her outside to ensure they went along at a genuine clip, while Manaal ($7.00) was dragged back by Jason Collett to allow the Michael Freedman-trained filly to get the last crack at her rivals.
Zac Lloyd was able to peel off the back of Lilac at the top of the straight and exposed Lady Shenandoah a long way out before asking for the ultimate effort.
She was happy to oblige in kind, putting pave to her rivals in the final 200m as Lady Of Camelot and Lilac could only chase in vain as the progressive Chris Waller-trained filly stormed clear by a length eased down in the concluding stages.
Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth was on course at Randwick to discuss the win and what’s next for the star filly.
“She is obviously an incredible athlete and was aided by an absolutely stunning ride by Zac (Lloyd),” said Duckworth.
“He got her in a beautiful position from what could have been a slightly sticky draw and she has gone about her business beautifully and she has accelerated.
“Lady of Camelot is no slouch to try and run past in the concluding stages and she seems to have done it with a bit in hand. She gets up over a lot further than the 1200 so to do it first-up, she is going to take a world of beating next start.
“The obvious next target is the Surround (Stakes), which is another Group One you’d love to add to her name.
“All four of the runners today – the other three finished alongside each other and all ran credibly – they will all be going there.
“Grand final? Not sure. Just win another Group One first.”
Zac Lloyd was excited by the win and spoke to her star quality.
“You don’t get that feeling often,” said Lloyd.
“She is a pleasure to ride and it’s an honour to ride these types of horses for Mr Waller.
“Happy I could get the job done, but she makes my life easier.
“In her second trial Mr Waller said, ‘close to a speeding ticket there’ but she just does it so easily you don’t really know how fast you’re going. She just glides over the ground, she’s got the most efficient action. She came around that bend and you just feel like it’s ‘game over’.
“She is a very nice filly.”
Lady Shenandoah is now the clear $2.00 favourite with BlondeBet for the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) on March 1.
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