The youthful hands of Zac Lloyd could hold the key to Royal Randwick’s $20 million Everest – billed in some quarters as the sprint that split the nation but, coupled with Caulfield, responsible for great day’s racing.
Lloyd’s name carries the “a” for apprentice next to it in form guides – racing’s equivalent of a “P” plate. The 20-year-old will navigate the three-year-old colt Cylinder, which proved troublesome last start for Australia’s most powerful jockey, Nash Rawiller.
Historically, the Caulfield Guineas program on this day was one of the best of the season after Sydney back-pedalled following the Randwick holiday Monday weekend.
But with the inception of The Everest came the whining from down south that the new race had a derogatory effect on the industry because there was not enough top horses to go around. However, Caulfield with an intriguing Guineas is still strong but at least matched by Randwick.
Apart from The Everest, headquarters has the King Charles III Stakes (formerly the George Main Stakes), featuring the best miler in Australia, Mr Brightside, over his favourite journey. But if the talented mare Fangirl gets the key element of pace in the race, she’ll rattle him.
On the Caulfield card, only the Schillaci Stakes lacks the usual depth. Ingratiating, prepared by Godolphin’s James Cummings, is one of the strong fancies and a stablemate of Cylinder.
Cummings will apply blinkers to Cylinder, which is a gear change generally used to bring extra focus to the recipient but coming with the risk of firing them up.
If not controlled under Lloyd, Cylinder will inject pace that could adversely affect the expected front-runner, Overpass. Still, if Cylinder responds to Lloyd, he is a strong chance.
Star apprentice Zac LLoyd has been entrusted with the ride on Cylinder in The Everest.Credit: Getty
The Everest looks an evenly balanced race and, like so many major events, the superior ride often wins.
Potential is the key to Cylinder against the older group 1 topliners. Figures don’t favour him, but neither did they encourage support for Giga Kick, the youngster that triumphed in The Everest last year.
Tactics are vital, as emphasised by the best Everest win: Classique Legend in 2020. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy pointed out that Classique Legend was aided by a strong tempo.
McEvoy’s current mount Shinzo – another three-year-old colt – will also be advantaged by speed up front. Shinzo tottered to the line lame last start, but McEvoy is confident of a better effort today and described him as “foot loose and fancy free”.
No doubt Rawiller, who rode four of The Everest acceptors at their last starts, holds a strong hand on Private Eye, which he was successful on when three wide throughout last time in The Shorts over 1100 metres.
Rawiller also scored on Espiona recently, and was involved in close finishes (with heels active and motion loaded) aboard Hawaii Five Oh and Cylinder – covering extra ground on the latter that cost him dearly in the opinion of Cummings.
Like Private Eye (barrier nine), Hawaii Five Oh (10) has drawn awkwardly. James McDonald takes over on Hawaii Five Oh, which looked well above himself in condition (more elephant than sleek thoroughbred) last start but was only photo-finished out in the Premiere Stakes over 1200 metres by Everest favourite Think About It (lighter and leaner with nervous energy).
Unlike their predecessors who adapted to early speed, modern-day jockeys get psyched by wide gates and go back too eagerly – probably on the instruction of desk tacticians.
If the racing pattern on Saturday allows backmarkers to cut loose effectively then I Wish I Win probably has the best finish.
But I Wish I Win will jump from the rails barrier and drift back under Luke Nolen, raising the question of getting the breaks at the right time. This is where the instincts of Lloyd again come into play.
In Secret, which is another Everest contender prepared by Cummings, has been tuned by shorter races and primed for the climb to 1200 metres.
The mare launches from the outside barrier of 12, but partner Zac Purton isn’t regarded as one of the best for being negative. If he has any queries, he should consult father-in-law Jim Cassidy, who made child’s play out of bad barriers.
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