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By Gary Harley

Gun Queensland apprentice Zac Lloyd will have his second day of riding since transferring to the James Cummings stable when he travels to Newcastle on Saturday.

The son of retired top jockey Jeff Lloyd, who rode more than 90 Group 1 winners around the world, Zac had one ride at Hawkesbury on Thursday aboard Caboteur which was unplaced.

Apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd

Newcastle-based trainers wasted no time in securing Lloyd for mounts on Saturday, and the 18-year-old has two rides for Novocastrian’s David Atkins and Nathan Doyle and one each for Annabel Neasham and Port Macquarie trainer Paul Shailer.

The Atkins pair will both be well fancied.

Frustrating mare Just Like Lisa ($9 on TAB) has her 16th start in the Crown And Anchor Hotel Maiden Plate (1400m).  She has been placed seven times, and she came from last when runner-up on this track on April 30.

Just Like Lisa’s stablemate Rockbarton Roman ($11) will contest the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1890m). His last five starts have resulted in two wins and two placings and the gelding will run well.

Doyle’s Miss Scalini ($5) is the apprentice's mount in the Lambourne Partners Wealth Benchmark 68 Handicap (1300m). She had a good preparation during the spring, and she trialled nicely recently.

Stablemate Ready By Design ($21) is first-up in the Baker Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m), and he won two on the trot in April last year.

The Queenslander’s remaining two mounts Relucent ($15) and Down Every Road ($19) are each-way chances. Lloyd claims 2kg on New South Wales Provincial tracks.

I spoke with Lloyd on Thursday night: “I'm excited to be going to Newcastle as it looks such a good big track on television. I appreciate that trainers have provided me with six rides.

"I am privileged to be apprenticed to James Cummings and between him and Darren Beadman mentoring me, it couldn’t be any better. My mother is in Sydney, and she will accompany me to Newcastle,” Lloyd said.

My best for Newcastle are Thailand (Race 5-$3.60 favourite) and Harvey’s Way (Race 8-$4.60).

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here