Zac Lloyd fires up over latest careless riding suspension

Zac Lloyd was giving a stern dressing down when he tried to argue his version of events as he copped another careless riding suspension at Rosehill on Saturday.

Zac Lloyd was suspended over his ride on Willaidow (left) in the Ajax Stakes, which was won by Iowna Merc. Picture: Getty Images

Chief steward Steve Railton needed to give a fired up Zac Lloyd a stern dressing down after he was suspended again for careless riding at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Lloyd will miss Saturday week’s Group 1 Tancred Stakes meeting after being handed a five-meeting ban.

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He pleaded guilty to shifting in aboard Willaidow during the early stages of the Group 2 Ajax Stakes.

Stewards ruled the shift at the 1100m caused Pericles to be hampered and take into Just Fine which was also hampered.

After entering his pleas, Lloyd wanted to argue the specifics of the charge.

Railton told the young rider he should have “pleaded not guilty” if he didn’t agree with the stewards’ version of events.

“Both jockeys (James McDonald and Regan Bayliss) said I didn’t cross,” Lloyd told stewards.

“Pericles ran away from me.

“I’m four-wide. There’s a gap between Iowna Merc and Just Fine.”

What a fight! 👊

Iowna Merc gets the nose down to win in a photo finish for the @BBakerRacing stable! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wWfIVNGwKK

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025

Lloyd said “this is every week”, referring to him defending himself over rides.

Railton told the two-time Sydney champion apprentice he wouldn’t have to explain himself by “giving two lengths clearance” before shifting.

Lloyd will begin his suspension on Sunday, March 23 and return to the saddle on Thursday, April 3.

WHEELER’S WEIGHT WOES COSTS HIM GROUP 1 RIDE

Queensland-based apprentice Bailey Wheeler was forced to forgo his maiden Group 1 ride and copped a $500 whack to the hip pocket after failing to make weight on two rides at Rosehill Gardens.

Wheeler was due to pilot Elettrica at 51kg in the Coolmore Classic but had to be replaced by Alysha Collett on race day.

He also couldn’t make the 52kg allotted to Artiebett in the Midway event.

Wheeler told stewards he still had 2kg to lose on raceday and said he’d done similar things in the past but couldn’t shed the weight in Sydney.

His sole remaining ride on Von Hauke only beat a runner home in the Ajax Stakes.

Originally published as Zac Lloyd fires up over latest careless riding suspension