He had to wait until the eighth race, but Zac Lloyd has sealed the Sydney apprentices’ premiership with a win at Randwick, scoring aboard in-form sprinter Insurrection to cap a remarkable season.
Zac Lloyd came into Saturday’s final meeting of the term with a three-win lead over arch-rival and close friend Dylan Gibbons and with neither adding to their tallies early in the day, it became apparent the margin was going to be enough to get Lloyd over the line.
But just to be sure, Lloyd got a late win on the board courtesy of the Michael Freedman-trained Insurrection to put the icing on the cake.
“It’s a very surreal feeling,” Lloyd said.
“I wouldn’t have expected it probably a year ago, so it’s a massive thrill and I am very proud of myself.
“The last few weeks I have (put pressure on myself). I thought early on there wasn’t much pressure because no one expected me to win, but the last few months I’ve made a good surge and built a lot of connections.
“The last few days have been good but stressful at the same time, but I wouldn’t change it.”
Lloyd and Gibbons have pushed each other to greater heights as their battle intensified over the past couple of months, both junior hoops achieving an outstanding feat in riding more than 70 metropolitan winners apiece.
Lloyd said his father, former top jockey Jeff Lloyd, and mum Nicola had been great supports.
“I am really happy to do it for my family,” he said.
“My dad was obviously a very good jockey so it’s good to follow in his footsteps.”
Insurrection was Lloyd’s 76th city winner this season, the 19-year-old striking at a rate of around 21 per cent.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, Lloyd overcoming a series of careless riding suspensions that threatened his season, along with a penalty for a minor betting offence early this year.
But Godolphin assistant trainer and former champion jockey Darren Beadman said their apprentice had showed maturity and resilience to come out the other side.
“Very proud of him. He’s come a long way in a short space of time,” Beadman said.
“You can go back to his win on Arbitration at the end of September and it hasn’t been easy pickings for him, a few indiscretions along the way, but he’s been able to overcome that and keep focused.
“All credit to him, he’s done a remarkable job”.
For Lloyd’s part, he won’t be resting on his laurels.
One dream has been achieved but there are many more still to tick off, including riding a Group 1 winner.
“There’s still a lot to achieve in this game and I am very excited by the journey,” Lloyd said.
“I am just going to stay grounded and continue to support Godolphin, who have been really good to me this season.”