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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Zac Lloyd is adamant that 1200m won’t be too short for exciting three-year-old Lady Shenandoah when she resumes in Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 TAB Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick.

Zac Lloyd wins the Flight Stakes on Lady Shenandoah. (Pic: Steve Hart).

The Chris Waller-trained filly gave Lloyd his second Group 1 winner when she cruised away with the Flight Stakes over a mile back in October so her return has been one he’s highly anticipated.

She started that preparation winning the Ming Dynasty over 1400m but Lloyd said she’s impressed him with everything he’s seen in her two barrier trials including the latest where she outpointed stablemate Switzerland.

“I don’t doubt her over 1200m first-up, her two trials have been run at sedate tempos and she’s been made to sprint which will help her on Saturday,'' he said.

“She can just lob in a nice comfortabe position, while there’s bigger fish to fry later in her preparation I have no doubt she can win first-up. But as long as she’s hitting the line everyone in the camp will be happy.

“I’ve been counting down the days until I could get back on her back on race day.”

Lady Shenandoah, $3.10 with TAB on Thursday, currently has a stranglehold on favouritism for the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) run in two weeks and that’s her logical first autumn target.

Lloyd feels the short spring campaign, with consisted of just the two starts, has worked in her favour.

“Winning a Group 1 at your fourth start is pretty impressive,’’ he said.

“It’s enabled her to go and have a spell and she’s come back a more mature and filled out horse.

“Her two trials have been fantastic and James (McDonald) was very happy with her track gallop on Saturday so everything’s looking like it’s going well at the minute.”

Sydney’s two time champion apprentice, now a few months into his senior riding career, has an interesting book of rides at Randwick including Atishu in the Group 2 $300,000 Petaluma Apollo Stakes (1400m), the unbeaten Clear Thinking in the Group 3 $250,000 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes (1200m) and Pallaton in the Pierro Plate (1100m).

Lloyd sent Atishu through her paces in her most recent trial and last weekend’s exhibition gallop and while he’s realistic about her chances of rolling the likes of Via Sistina he’s expecting a positive kick off to her campaign.

“I’ve had a fair bit to do with her this past two or three weeks,’’ he said.

“She’s very easy to ride, with only eight runners she won’t be too far off them. I’m presuming I’ll be riding her cold to finish off the race and improve from the run.”

Clear Thinking takes a record of four from four into the Triscay and while the race is her biggest test, and first time out of country grade, he can’t fault what he’s seen from the blueblooded mare.

“I’m happy the field has thinned out a bit, only 10 runners is good for her. She’s still new, only having her fifth start against horses that are proven Group performers,’’ he said.

“She gave a great feel when I won on her but it’s obviously a big ask, I’m sure she can perform.”

Pallaton presses his Golden Slipper claims in the Pierro Plate and while Lloyd knows he’s only warming the saddle for Tommy Berry he said on the back of a solid finishing third in a trial last week his expectations are high.

Lady Shenandoah wins a Warwick Farm trial on January 30

“I’ve had pretty long chats with Tommy about him and he holds him in high regard,’’ Lloyd said.

“Hopefully he doesn’t disappoint, I’m happy to get my one spin on him and allow Tommy to jump back on.

“He’s a laid-back colt and has a great attitude, and I think you won’t see the proper Pallaton until you see him on race day. That’s the feel he gave me.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting