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By Ray Hickson

On the other side of the world, Zac Lloyd had one of those light bulb moments.

Zac Lloyd is out to clinch the apprentice title at Randwick on Saturday. (Pic: Bradley Photos)

It was while serving his seventh careless riding suspension, and 10th overall, this season in June that the 19-year-old was given the opportunity by James Cummings and Godolphin to have his eyes opened to what’s possible.

Lloyd says spending time in the UK changed his outlook and it’s been driving him towards capping his breakthrough season by sealing the champion apprentice title at Randwick on Saturday.

“I was able to go away and that’s made me realise how lucky I am to be in this position,’’ Lloyd said.

“Going to Newmarket and seeing that side of racing, the very good trainers like (Godolphin trainer) Charlie Appleby and riders like William Buick was a great experience.

“It’s where I’m aiming to be and seeing how professional they were I realised I had to make a change. I really switched on and think it’s helped my riding a lot these past few weeks.”

When Lloyd started his suspension he had a five win lead over Dylan Gibbons, when he returned in late June he was five behind.

After a double at Canterbury, Lloyd sits on 75 wins for the season and is three clear of his good friend who has the job to overhaul him at Saturday’s metro season finale.

That 75 city wins, he has 105 overall for the season, is a remarkable achievement when you think Lloyd rode his first city winner in September, spent many weeks out suspended and is only five wins from outriding his claim.

“Getting the two gives me a good buffer going into Saturday and if he beats me from there then fair play because it's going to be very hard,’’ he said.

“It was a great day on Wednesday and it's been a great season. It would mean a lot to me (to win the premiership).

“I’ve had to overcome some circumstances, it’s been an up and down season, but I’ve felt I’ve been riding consistently and that’s showing in my strike rate.

“Hopefully I can improve into next season, and that Group 1 is definitely on my mind and hopefully I can get it in the spring.”

The two star apprentices will go head to head in the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m) with Lloyd partnering Shaken ($4.20 with TAB on Thursday) for Godolphin while Gibbons rides impressive debut winner Estriella ($2.90).

It’s not lost on Lloyd that if he can guide Shaken home it’ll just about seal the title and he’s convinced he’s on the horse to beat.

Shaken, a daughter of former topliner Earthquake, scored a runaway Wyong win on July 4 and Lloyd said there’s no shortage of talent at his disposal.

“I think she’s a very nice horse. I’m not worried about her ability, I’m just worried about her mentally,’’ he said.

“She’s very fast, I’ll be surprised if anything can keep up with her in the first furlong.

“She’s come through that run and learnt from it and if she handles the occasion I think she will be hard to beat. She has an abundance of ability and if she puts it all together I think she’ll be winning.”

If Gibbons gets on a roll and closes the gap and Lloyd needs a winner late in the day to steady the ship he’s confident Insurrection can keep up the good work in the Kanebridge Handicap (1100m).

He’s partnered the Michael Freedman-trained gelding, $2.20 with TAB on Thursday, to consecutive wins over the track and distance, and from wide gates, and has great belief in the horse’s strength.

Shaken wins at Wyong on July 4

“It’s the same script as last start I feel. He’s racing very well and I don’t think the barrier is a factor, he was three deep most of the way last time and won comfortably,’’ he said.

“He finds the line very well even while doing the work early and that makes him hard to beat.

“We won’t change what isn’t broken and he will be right there again.”

Zac Lloyd on Zaru (race 3): “He’s a very good chance again. He quickened very well, that’s the way to ride him. Get there as late as possible. He has a good barrier, which he needs, and hopefully he can get a similar run three or four pairs back and I can ride him for a bit of luck again and get the luck.”

On Mutamanni (race 5): “He gave me a great ride at Warwick Farm and I thought he was a nice horse. Up to ten furlongs last start Dylan had to use him to hold a spot, I was inside him and he over raced throughout and never dropped the bridle. Back to the 1800m will suit him and if he can switch off he’ll be very strong late.”

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