Zac Lloyd had no idea Chris Waller planned to give him Militarize ride in Cox Plate

Chris Waller knew weeks ago who he wanted to ride Militarize in the Cox Plate even though the jockey was unaware about the trainer’s plan.

Zac Lloyd riding Militarize (left) and Steven Arnold aboard Fangirl in a track gallop at The Valley on Tuesday morning. Picture: Michael Klein

Champion trainer Chris Waller disguised the Cox Plate booking in plain sight last month, with rising star apprentice Zac Lloyd called up to ride Militarize first-up in Sydney.

An untimely James McDonald injury only enhanced Waller’s secret motivations, to give Lloyd a feel of Militarize on raceday, with the Cox Plate, seven weeks and three starts away.

Militarize ran fifth in the 1200m Group 2, finishing powerfully under Lloyd, to cement Group 1 Golden Rose ambitions, which the star colt won second-up, and jockey selection for the 49.5kg Cox Plate ride.

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“He’s a rising star, he’s got a good level head and good people around him,” four-time Cox Plate-winning trainer Waller said.

“Hence we had him on Militarize on first-up, with this in mind, so he got a feel of him on raceday, it was only 1200m and he was winding up late … we always had that (Cox Plate) in the back of our mind.”

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Lloyd, thrilled to ride Militarize at the time, was none the wiser about the longer range play.

“No, I didn’t think that far in advance,” Lloyd said.

“That’s why he’s Chris Waller, he thinks multiple steps ahead.

“I got a feel of the horse and how good he is and he ran super that day, the 2000m I think is going to benefit him a lot.”

Chris Waller watches Militarize and Fangirl go through their paces through his binoculars. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Militarize, a $7.50 third elect with TAB, cruised around The Valley at Breakfast with the Best on Tuesday morning outside Waller star Fangirl, a $9 chance on Saturday.

The Waller pair clocked identical 1000m times, 1min 12.50sec, with a 25.42sec last 400m.

Alligator Blood, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, topped the time sheets for Cox Plate horses with a 24.17sec last 400m.

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Cox Plate favourite Romantic Warrior, who galloped solo at The Valley on Monday, posted a slick 23.06sec.

Waller was pleased with both Militarize and Fangirl on Tuesday, their second spin around The Valley in 72 hours after an initial reconnaissance last Saturday.

“Saturday was a look around, this morning they breezed up 1000m and were strong the last 400m, both got on the right legs (around the turns),” Waller said.

“Timing and maturity wise I think he’s (Militarize) ready, it’s a big ask for a three year old but when he’s been competing at the highest level all his life I don’t think that’s a problem.

“I honestly find Moonee Valley is better than Caulfield (for Sydney horses), Flemington is the best, it’s such a big, vast open space, there’s beautiful cambers here it’s really not too much trouble.”

Militarize drew barrier three, while Fangirl has gate nine in Australia’s best race.

Lloyd, set to make his Victorian racing debut on Friday night at The Valley, made the most of Tuesday morning’s gallop alongside Fangirl and track rider, Cox Plate-winner Steven Arnold.

“I was trying to ride my horse but at the same time look where I am, just trying to learn, but I thought the horse handled it (the track) very nicely,” Lloyd said.

“I was speaking to Steven Arnold, he’s not a bad person to ask, I said ‘teach me how to go around The Valley and while you’re at it, teach me how to win a Cox Plate’.”

Arnold won the Cox Plate in 2010 aboard Bart Cummings’s champion So You Think.

Originally published as Zac Lloyd had no idea Chris Waller planned to give him Militarize ride in Cox Plate