Rodd Looks To Anamato For Group Tonic

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday June 21, 2008

John Schell

JOCKEY Michael Rodd is not dwelling on what might have been when reflecting on his career-defining season, but is instead looking ahead to another group 1 success today when Anamato contests the $500,000 Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm.

"It has definitely been a season of highs and lows, but things are on the up now," Rodd said yesterday.

Four group 1 wins last spring, including a Melbourne Cup on Efficient, a Toorak Handicap and a Myer Classic on Divine Madonna, and a Yalumba Stakes on Maldivian, gave Rodd four early wins at racing's elite level.

But when he looked a shoo-in to go on with the job, Rodd fell victim to post-viral fatigue syndrome after returning from an end-of-year holiday in the Maldives.

Rather than dwell on lost opportunities, Rodd is confident Anamato, a mare with which he has good affinity, can get him back in the limelight.

"The season started in great style for me and what has happened afterwards has been a testing time, but something that will make me a better jockey and a better person," Rodd said.

"Winning four group 1s so early in the season gave me a great start as well as the confidence to know I can match it with anyone."

This time last year Rodd travelled to the US where he partnered Anamato to a third placing in the American Oaks. Before that he won the Schweppes Oaks aboard the David Hayes-trained mare in Adelaide.

"She has been a high quality performer throughout her career," Rodd said. "And while the Winter Stakes on Saturday looks to be one of the races of the winter carnival in Brisbane, I have faith in Anamato. She is a proven performer."

Anamato finished third behind Maldivian and Miss Finland in the Yalumba Stakes last spring before failing in the Caulfield Cup and the Hilton International at Flemington. She was then spelled.

"She resumed this campaign in an unsuitable 1000m race at Moonee Valley and while she was beaten a fair way it was a good run," Rodd said.

"She is rarely far from the action, is never far from the placings, and she will appreciate stepping up to the 1400m second-up from a spell."

Rodd's season could have reached great heights had not his fatigue forced him out of the saddle for about three months.

"I was lucky enough to get on Apache Cat early in the spring carnival last year and won the Bletchingly and Liston stakes on the horse before I ran second to Marasco on it in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington in September," Rodd said.

"But by the time it was ready to come back I was on the sidelines after returning from the Maldives."

Rodd's loss has been rival jockey Corey Brown's gain, with that hoop racking up five group 1s in succession on Apache Cat for trainer Greg Eurell.

Brown has guided Apache Cat to wins in the Lightning Stakes, Australia Stakes, T. J. Smith Stakes, BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000 since taking over the reins from Rodd.

Yet Rodd is unconcerned, instead focusing on riding winners and being at his best to again dominate the Melbourne spring carnival.

"Sitting back and looking at things now I could have been aiming for a 10th group 1 of the season on Saturday with Anamato if I could have stuck with Apache Cat," he said.

"But that is not to be. Whatever way you look at it I've had a great year, even since I've been back I've ridden plenty of winners and have struck up an association with [trainer] Peter Snowden]. It's onwards and upwards from here."

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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