Lloyd eyeing upset with Linebacker in Randwick Guineas
Zac Lloyd knows better than most what Broadsiding’s rivals are up against in the group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on Saturday, but the jockey is confident Linebacker can launch a stronger challenge this time around.
Lloyd was aboard Godolphin star Broadsiding when he cruised to a one-length win in the group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago at Rosehill. It was one of five winners for Lloyd on a career-best day, which also featured a suspension from his victory on Step Aside.
Zac Lloyd takes Broadsiding to victory in the Hobartville Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
He returned on Wednesday at Warwick Farm with a winning finish to the day on Art Volant, and he has a strong book of rides on Saturday.
James McDonald, who was riding overseas two weeks ago, returns to take over on Broadsiding, which was a $1.60 Sportsbet favourite for the Guineas after his impressive first-up win and draw in gate four.
John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Linebacker, a front-running second when first-up in the Eskimo Prince (1200m) then sixth in the Hobartville, was $9.50 from gate six. Lloyd gets his first chance on Linebacker, and he was “very happy” with the ride.
“I was a fill-in for James on Broadsiding, and he’s the one to beat, a three-time group 1-winning colt, but I think Linebacker is ready to run a big race third-up,” Lloyd said.
“Last start he obviously got a long way back, but he had been over-racing, so it might just help him going forward. I presume we’ll be in a more prominent position.”
In the day’s other group 1, the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), Lloyd pilots a more familiar horse, Stefi Magnetica. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare, which gave Lloyd his first group 1 victory last year in the Stradbroke, resumes off two trials and was an $8 hope from gate seven.
“I love riding her and she’s back going really, really well,” said Lloyd, who was aboard in both trials.
