Michael Rodd double puts NSW in box seat in Origin Jockeys Series
MICHAEL Rodd assured Queenslanders he still loves the Sunshine State despite stealing the spoils for arch enemy NSW in the State of Origin jockey series at Eagle Farm.
MICHAEL Rodd assured Queenslanders he still loves the Sunshine State despite stealing the spoils for arch enemy New South Wales in the State of Origin jockey series.
Everything the Singapore-based jockey touches at the moment turns to gold and he wore the NSW sky blue colours to win both designated Origin series races at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
It came a day after Rodd flew in to Brisbane to ride four winners at Doomben in Friday’s twilight meeting. Plenty of Queenslanders consider Rodd as Maroon as XXXX beer or Bundaberg Rum as the hoop was once an apprentice in the Brisbane jockeys’ room.
He was born in Sydney’s northern beaches area and supports the Blues come Origin rugby league time. Plenty of locals were cheering Rodd from the Eagle Farm grandstands as he rode Arki and In His Stride to victory in the Origin races.
He said he still had a soft spot in his heart for the state.
“I love Queensland as a state, don’t worry about that, and I am married to a Queenslander,” Rodd said. “But I will always represent NSW and I am pretty stoked to get a win for the Blues.
“This series has had a big build-up and to get some runs on the board early is good.
“Riding four winners on Friday was good to kick things off and get my eye in.
“I just hoped at the time I hadn’t fired all my bullets.”
Arki, a gelding who was almost retired with injuries, posted his second consecutive win in his comeback campaign. Trainer Kelly Doughty brought Arki back to the races on the Gold Coast last month after he had two years off with serious injuries.
“He always had a lot of ability but he had a year off when he did his tendon,” Doughty said. “Then a week before he came home, he kicked out in the paddock and broke his foot.
“He is a lovely natured horse and has always had a lot of potential.”
Rodd scored a personal perfect 20 points on the first day of the Origin series with NSW soaring to 24 points after fellow Blues jockey Tim Clark picked up some minor points.
Jockey teams from Queensland and New Zealand were equal second on nine points after day one of Origin racing.
Rodd secured his second Origin race win when In His Stride zoomed home from a long way back. “They went so fast I couldn’t keep up, but he flew home in the last furlong,” Rodd said.
THE VERDICT
Riders’ chance to shine
BLOWUPS from some sections of the Brisbane riding community about the Origin Jockey Series are mostly gibberish.
There has been whingeing over big-name interstate and overseas riders coming to Queensland to ride, thereby denying local riders a chance to shine.
But if the locals are good enough, they will get a ride regardless.
And there are only two designated Origin races per meeting. So let’s take a chill pill.
Last year’s Jockey Series was a bit of a shambles at times but this year’s is better organised and with more hype and interest.
Credit should go to Racing Queensland for luring the likes of Michael Rodd, Kerrin McEvoy and Damien Oliver to ride in the Sunshine State over summer.
The Jockey Series isn’t perfect but RQ should not be bashed for trying a bit of funky innovation.
Racing does not sell itself these days.
Criticism turf out
MELBOURNE Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy provided music to the ears of Eagle Farm track managers when he gave the surface a wrap.
Many visiting jockeys were highly critical of the new Eagle Farm when they rode during the Winter Carnival. But McEvoy noticed a big improvement during Saturday’s card which was run on a soft track.
“It seems to be riding quite nicely now,” McEvoy said. “There is obviously a little bit of juice in the ground today but the track seems as though it is more consolidated. And there is a nice, even cover of grass. That is a good sign for Queensland racing.“
Anderson’s opal shines
CHRIS Anderson is eyeing next year’s Winter Carnival with emerging star mare Mystic Opal.
Mystic Opal could barely have been more impressive at Eagle Farm yesterday and now boasts five wins from 12 starts including the past two.
The four-year-old had to sit wide yesterday but was still far too good.
“I have always had a big opinion of her and hopefully there will be a Winter Carnival race for her next year,” Anderson said. “I always thought she was a bit untapped and she was certainly very dominant today. She is just thriving in the stable and is having the sort of preparation you wish every horse would have.”
Colosimo convincing
AQUIS Farm deserved their two-year-old winner Colosimo on Saturday after pumping money into the industry.
Trainer Steve O’Dea may be based at Eagle Farm but he trains about 12 horses for Aquis who have their headquarters in the Gold Coast hinterland.
Aquis Group chairman, Hong Kong billionaire Tony Fung, bought Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm racing and breeding operation last year.
Aquis’ vision statement is: “to create Queensland and Australia’s premier thoroughbred racing, breeding and training facility with a special focus on the Asian sector which is the golden future of the Australian horse racing and breeding industry”.
Realing is rocking
MATT Dunn reckons he may have unearthed a future star with three-year-old Eagle Farm winner Realing. The gelding sat wide for the trip, unleashing a powerful run down the outside and just hanging on to fend off No Annamosity.
Realing has now won two from three in good fashion in his first racing preparation,
It is unlikely he will have enough prizemoney to be a 3YO Magic Millions Guineas contender but Dunn insists he has a big future and so far we have just seen the tip of the iceberg.
Lloyd honoured
THE Queensland Racing Media Association held their end of year celebration last Monday and named the UBET Personality of the Year.
Jeff Lloyd was a standout selection for his return to premiership glory and his record-breaking seven winners at the Sunshine Coast.
The trainer personality was shared between Kelly Schweida and Bryan Guy, who helped deliver two Group 1 races during the Winter Carnival.
It is the third time the QRMA have presented a Personality of the Year. Tony Gollan was the inaugural recipient in 2014. Rob Heathcote and Damian Browne shared the prize last year.
Originally published as Michael Rodd double puts NSW in box seat in Origin Jockeys Series
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