Hall of Fame jockey Malcolm Johnston says under siege apprentice Zac Lloyd needs to show more patience in races

Malcolm Johnston knows what it’s like to be on the wrong side of the ‘law’ and earn the wrath of racing stewards - now he’s got some advice for top apprentice Zac Lloyd.

Top apprentice Zac Lloyd has earned the wrath of stewards once again. Picture: Jeremy Ng–Getty Images

Riding legend “Miracle” Mal Johnston has one simple word of advice for Sydney’s leading apprentice Zac Lloyd to keep him out of the stewards’ room: “Patience”.

Johnston, the Hall of Fame jockey famous as the regular rider of legendary champion Kingston Town, said Lloyd is an outstanding talent but feels the teenager is trying too hard in races.

Lloyd was hit with his second careless riding suspension in five days and his seventh for the season after causing interference on Sneaky Paige at Randwick on Saturday. The apprentice can’t resume race riding until June 23.

The 19-year-old had only just returned to the saddle after incurring a three-week ban for weighing in light when riding a minor placegetter at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting in late April.

“I’m sure this situation will settle down for Zac, he just has to learn to be patient and not try to force the issue,’’ Johnston said.

“With maturity, he will get the balance right because it’s easy to forget he’s still only a kid.

“Zac is going to be a great jockey because he is one of the few riders that will take risks and be aggressive.

“I hope no one wants to change him because you don’t want to take that competitive, winning attitude away from him – what do they say ‘don’t try to tame the bear’.’’

Zac Lloyd wins on Yoshino at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng–Getty Images

Despite Lloyd’s repeated suspensions this season, he still leads the Sydney apprentice premiership with 58 wins from Dylan Gibbons (53 wins) and Tyler Schiller (52 wins) with two months of the season remaining.

Gibbons and Schiller now have an opportunity to erase Lloyd’s premiership lead and set up a grandstand finish for the title in July.

But Johnston said Lloyd “has the right people in his corner” and will learn from his mistakes.

Lloyd is apprenticed to Godolphin trainer James Cummings and the young rider gets sage advice from Hall of Famer Darren Beadman.

Corey Brown, a former premier Sydney jockey, is now Racing NSW’s head jockey coach, and works closely with all apprentices, while champion trainer John Hawkes has also taken Lloyd under his wing.

The apprentice’s father, Jeff Lloyd, was a former world-class jockey and mentors his son’s emerging riding career.

“Zac is lucky because he has four of the best in the business looking after him,’’ Johnston said.

“But I’m sure Darren, Corey, ‘Hawkesy’ and Jeff won’t want to temper that bit of aggression Zac has got because that’s what makes this kid such a special talent.’’

Malcolm Johnston in the famous Kingston Town colours. Picture: Gary Graham

Johnston can speak with authority on this subject as he seemed to have a permanent seat in the stewards’ room during his riding career.

In fact, Johnston was suspended 56 times for careless riding and it cost him many big race wins including two Cox Plates on Kingston Town (1981-82).

“Zac has a fair way to go to catch up on me,’’ Johnston said.

“When I was getting suspended a lot Tommy Smith sent me to a sports psychologist.

“I had three or four sessions with him and he convinced me it wasn’t the end of the world if I didn’t win. I thought ‘right, I’ve got it’ but first day back at the races I got suspended again.

“Tommy sat me down and said ‘son, you have a serious problem!’ I knew I was very competitive, probably too competitive at times and it took me a while to get that balance right.

“But the name of our game is to win, no one remembers who came second, and I wanted to win every race. I can see Zac has that same attitude.’’

Originally published as Hall of Fame jockey Malcolm Johnston says under siege apprentice Zac Lloyd needs to show more patience in races