State Of America can help Zac Lloyd kick off next chapter on high note

Apprentice Zac Lloyd has ridden State Of America to three straight victories and the pair will attempt to extend the streak in the Listed ATC Cup.

State Of America and Zac Lloyd have made for a formidable partnership. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Trainer David Payne is keen to help launch former star apprentice Zac Lloyd’s exciting next chapter as they attempt to continue a winning run with State Of America in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Lloyd, a two-time Sydney champion apprentice and one of the most successful young riders in Sydney this century, officially became a senior rider this week.

The star hoop has a full book at the feature meeting and Payne is hopeful of getting him off to a winning start on State Of America.

The pair have combined for three straight victories before Lloyd was forced to sit out for the remaining two weeks of his apprenticeship due to a careless riding ban.

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Payne has waited patiently for his return, choosing to bypass a crack at the Listed $300,000 The Beauford earlier this month while he remained on the sidelines.

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“I couldn’t get the right jockey for him in the Beauford so I wasn’t going to take the chance and he’s going well for Zac,” Payne said.

“Zac knows him. Let’s hope (it’s his first winner as a senior rider).

“The horse is well and he should get a light weight there.”

State Of America had won three of 25 starts leading into this preparation but has doubled that tally in recent times after going to a new level this spring.

Zac Lloyd pilots State Of America on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The five-year-old won in Midway grade over 1800m before following it up with city wins at Warwick Farm and Rosehill Gardens to earn his crack in stakes grade.

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“The horse has just matured this preparation and now he’s more mature, he’s racing better,” Payne said.

“He’s not fighting the jockey like he used to and if you look at some of his previous runs, he always over races.

“Now he’s finally learned to relax and Zac gets him to relax, which is good.”

State Of America opened as an $11 chance for the ATC Cup where the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Townsend has shortened from $4 into $3.70 favouritism.

🇺🇸 State Of America makes it three wins in a row! 😮@DPayneRacing | @ZacLloydx | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/3aeOV7K1tU

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 2, 2024

Tulloch Lodge could be set to wield a strong hand in the 2000m test with Converge ($51), Goldman ($16) and potentially Hoo Ya Mal ($7.50) among the chances.

Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald could have as many as five runners in the Cup with Spirit Ridge ($19), Naval College ($6), Jimi Hendrix ($61), Little Mix ($12) and Hopeful ($41).

Originally published as State Of America can help Zac Lloyd kick off next chapter on high note