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By Ray Hickson

Zac Lloyd has taken enough confidence out of his first ride on consistent sprinter Insurrection to be confident he can adapt to being potentially a marked horse as he attempts back-to-back wins at Randwick on Saturday.

Zac Lloyd (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The Michael Freedman-trained gelding overcame a wide gate to lead all the way to an easy 1-1/2 length win, over the same course as the Vale Ray Selkrig Handicap (1100m), two weeks ago.

“That’s probably plan A again but I’m not going to burst him to get to the front,’’ Lloyd said.

“We’ll look at the pattern in the first few races and who knows how it will play by race seven so we’ll figure that one out.”

Insurrection, $2.60 with TAB on Thursday, has again drawn wide at Randwick but with the rail out 9m and only one turn that’s not something concerning the top apprentice.

It’s, as he alluded, not wanting to get into a speed battle that is his prime objective but he’s certain the three-year-old, who has finished top three in 10 of his 14 starts, will be just as effective if something else wants to lead at all costs.

“He crossed them quickly, but so did Brudenell last start after drawing wide, so they could be matching motors the first 100m,’’ Lloyd said.

“It doesn’t look to be an overly strong race but there looks to be a bit of speed. He’s very fast so hopefully he can put himself somewhere on the speed.

“When he ran second to Parisal he took a sit that day. He relaxes really good and that’s why he races so well.

“If I have to come back a length or two I’m sure he will do it comfortably and still be able to hit the line strongly.

"He won very well last start and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t perform well again.”

Lloyd is of course in a battle with Dylan Gibbons for the champion apprentice title and sits one win behind his friend and rival with 64 winners for the season.

Both apprentices have strong winning chances at Randwick and Lloyd said he leaves no stone unturned when it comes to getting to know horses he’s riding for the first time – as he did with success on Insurrection recently.

“I have a look at their replays, I do quite extensive research on the horses. I look at most of their runs and talk to the trainer,’’ he said.

The Annabel Neasham-trained colt West Of Africa is one horse Lloyd is new to and he’s already one the teenager has taken notice of.

Insurrection wins at Randwick on June 24

West Of Africa drew wide and came from last to be beaten 2-1/2 lengths by Overriding over 1300m at Randwick two weeks ago and steps up slightly in trip into the Furphy Handicap (1400m).

“I must say his first-up run caught my eye,’’ Lloyd said.

“I liked the way Jason Collett rode him. He wasn’t hard on the horse, he let him find the line and you could imagine he would take improvement from the run.

“With the gate, that will help a lot, he can probably be a lot closer than he has been and I’m sure he will be competitive.”

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