Don’t discount $19 More Territories in Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes, jockey Zac Lloyd warns punters

All attention will be on Autumn Glow, Manaal and Ameena in Saturday’s feature for the three-year-old fillies, but Zac Lloyd is confident of an upset aboard More Territories.

Star apprentice Zac Lloyd is adamant promising filly More Territories shouldn’t be discounted in Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick.

All the attention will be on boom filly Autumn Glow ($1.95) as she puts her unbeaten record on the line against recent stakes winning three-year-olds Manaal ($4.20) and Ameena ($7).

But Lloyd believes More Territories ($19) is capable of upsetting the big guns in the third leg of the Princess Series.

More Territories finished fifth behind winner Manaal and runner up Ameena in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) first up from a break.

Lloyd expects the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained filly can go to another level jumping from an inside gate over 1400m.

Manaal turns the tables on Ameena in the G2 Furious Stakes at Randwick, and it's a race record - 1:08:68!@[e-mail]/DbjZTHwlGQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2024

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“I think More Territories is a very good chance of winning, especially with the barriers,” Lloyd said.

“All the favourites drew quite wide and (barrier 4 over) 1400m at Randwick is quite a good barrier. It’s very beneficial.

“Watching her last run, I thought it was very good. She got beat a length and a half to all the fillies besides Autumn Glow.

“She’s first up and I think the 1400m will really suit her.”

Lloyd will be able to keep the same Finemore Thoroughbreds silks on as he partners Cafe Millenium for the same stable in the race before More Territories lines up.

Cafe Millenium returns from a spell in the Group 3 $250,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).

The bulky son of Not A Single Doubt was placed in a Group 1 Randwick Guineas last preparation and Lloyd reckons he’s capable of big things this spring, albeit faced with a tough draw first up.

Belclare and Cafe Millenium hit the line together in a trial at Randwick, with the former holding a head margin, on Friday with #TABEverest hopeful Sunshine In Paris a close third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/iE68REEvno

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 29, 2024

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“Cafe Millenium has come back fantastic, he’s a very, very good horse,” Lloyd said.

“Obviously the barrier (14) is not ideal. He jumped really well in his trial and I thought if he could draw well he could settle a couple of lengths closer than what he usually is.

“From that barrier and first up, we will probably have to take our medicine but he gave me a great feel in the trial and I think he has come back much sharper than when I’ve ridden him previously.

“I am excited to see what he does.”

Lloyd will reconnect with a horse that will always hold a special place in his mind when classy sprinter hopeful Stefi Magnetica ($12) returns in the Group 2 $300,000 The Shorts (1100m).

The Bjorn Baker-trained Stefi Magnetica delivered Lloyd his maiden Group 1 win earlier this year when she captured the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.

1⃣ Mazu
2⃣ Stefi Magnetica
3⃣ Think About It

A tight finish to the opening trial at Randwick on Monday featuring @PrideRacing's reigning #TABEverest winner. Behind the placings were the @cwallerracing crew Fangirl, Scarlet Oak and Roots. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/74GY8Qur0w

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 8, 2024

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Baker has ambitions of getting Stefi Magnetica into the $20 million The Everest while she is also being set for the $10 million Golden Eagle.

Lloyd wants to be with her very step of the way.

“I am very excited,” Lloyd said.

“I have been loving her work. I think she has come back very well.

“It’s a nice barrier for her on Saturday and I think there will be a lot of tempo in the race so that should suit her to the ground.

“As long as she is running home well and the alarm bells are there screaming ‘1200m Everest’. I am sure they will be.”

Lloyd has been booked to partner Group 1 winner Zardozi in the $1m 7 Stakes (1600m), however the mare could also run in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) earlier in the card if she gains a start.

Land Legend ($9.50) is his final black type ride in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).

Originally published as Don’t discount $19 More Territories in Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes, jockey Zac Lloyd warns punters