In a notable turn of events at Rosehill, trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald found themselves on opposing sides, a scenario Waller skillfully capitalised on.
With the Waller-trained mare Eagle Express ($4) carrying just 52kg in Saturday’s Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m), lightweight hoop Zac Lloyd was engaged. Lloyd shadowed McDonald, who was leading on the eventual fourth-placegetter Hawker Hall ($2.05 fav), and managed to surge through on the inside to secure the win.
“That was the plan today, to get into James’ slipstream and not expose her too early and just have a crack late,” Waller said. “She’s a talented filly turned mare now. We wanted to see her do that today to justify another year with us.”
Eagle Express, now a five-year-old, has had a relatively light racing career, with this being her fifth victory from 21 starts. She proved herself capable in black type company during the autumn, and Waller believes she can measure up to that grade again in the right circumstances.
“The race next week, the Toy Show Quality, is probably the right race for her. She won’t be running there, but that type of race. A handicap where we can hold her up,” he suggested.
Waller also expressed his strong approval of Lloyd’s ride, which marked his second win of the day, having previously secured a victory on protest aboard the Brad Widdup-trained Mind Ya Bizz.
The young jockey, who was McDonald’s closest rival for the Sydney premiership last season, is considered one of the sport’s ascending stars. Waller noted that Lloyd’s recent international riding experiences in South Africa and at Royal Ascot have been particularly beneficial.
While McDonald remains the benchmark, Waller suggested that the emergence of riders like Lloyd is a positive influence, pushing all elite jockeys to extend their capabilities.
“You don’t want the gap too big and there are a few chomping away,” Waller stated. “There’s some good, healthy competition. It’s great for James, and it’s good for jockeys when they do some international trips like Zac has done. Jason Collett is in Japan at the moment. We’re the winner, Sydney, when they come back.”
Lloyd is set to miss next Saturday’s Winx Stakes meeting due to his participation in the World All-Star Jockeys competition in Japan, continuing his recent international racing engagements.
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