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By Ray Hickson

Less than three weeks out from closing what’s been a stunning apprenticeship, Zac Lloyd says he’s achieved everything he could have hoped for but he would find it pretty special if he could snare Saturday’s feature at Rosehill.

Zac Lloyd with Territory Express' trainer Paul Niceforo (Pic: Bradley Photos).

He’ll continue his association with Territory Express for trainer Paul Niceforo and his partner Maryanne Cram in the Listed $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m).

While he’s already won a Provincial-Midway Championships Final for the trainer, Niceforo only has a few horses in work and it's been well documented that he's had his share of health battles in the past year.

“It’d be life changing for them if he can win, I’ll be doing everything I can to make it happen,’’ Lloyd said.

“I do enjoy riding for them, they are lovely people and it’s good to share a win people like that if you do win.

“It’s special every time I can ride him, I’ve been pretty close on him just about every start.

“When he does win you know it means so much to them and that gives you a kick and makes you proud when you get the job done.”

The big question to ask Lloyd about Territory Express is a simple one – is there anything you can do to make the horse jump with them and not give away so much start?

Most observers of the Five Diamonds Prelude two weeks ago concluded a particularly slow start cost him victory.

He was beaten in a close finish by an all the way winner in Iknowastar, who put down what wasn’t a particularly hectic tempo, where he ran his customary slick sectionals of 33.88 for the last 600m (Punter’s Intelligence) and the race’s best last 200m of 11.62.

Lloyd’s straight response was that there’s little he can do, it’s just part of the horse’s make up and somewhat ironically what makes him so good.

“He’s got the (barrier) blanket off which I think helps him, he’s never going to jump but hopefully he doesn’t blunder nearly as much as he did last time,’’ he said.

“He takes time to get into his rhythm and that’s why he has such a good turn of foot.

“Even if he did jump I wouldn’t necessarily ride him any differently, that’s his asset and the way he wins his races.

“I think it’s a perfect trip for him now, he’s relaxing so well in his races I think it’s a perfect distance for him and I’m excited to see what he can do.”

Lloyd partners Magic Time in the Group 2 $500,000 Cincotta Chemist Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) and he’s quietly confident the mare can turn the tables on Belclare from The Invitation two weeks ago.

He’s banking on The Invitation being a peak performance from Belclare while Magic Time, who was only second-up in that race, could still have upside this preparation.

“Belclare ran a very good race last start and not many horses would’ve been able to beat her that day,’’ he said.

“It’d be hard for a horse to produce two runs like that back-to-back so we’ll see where they stand.

“She’s a very good mare, Magic Time, I’m excited to see what she can do. The draw is a bit sticky but I think she is better than this field and if she can get across she will be very hard to beat.”

Territory Express runs second at Randwick on October 26

Zac Lloyd becomes a senior jockey on November 29.

In his time as an apprentice he’s won two Sydney premierships, rode a Group 1 winner and broke Chris Waller’s run of 12 straight Bart Cummings Medal wins when he took the prestigious award in 2023.

“I accomplished everything I wanted and probably a bit more, it’s going to be exciting to come out of my time,’’ Lloyd said.

“Although I’ve been riding without a claim for about a year and a half I don’t see why anything will change but it’ll be good to wrap it all up.”

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