Rodd Chasing Third-straight Memsie Win

Friday, 29 August 2014 08:07

Michael Rodd doesn't expect he will ever ride another horse like Atlantic Jewel.

But the jockey does rate his chances of winning another Memsie Stakes on Saturday.

The now-retired Atlantic Jewel's outstanding return to the racetrack a year ago after a 70-week injury absence gave Rodd his second-straight Memsie win in its inaugural running at Group One level.

Jockey Michael Rodd

This year Rodd rides Cox Plate runner-up Happy Trails and is convinced he has a chance to make it three in a row.

"It's been a good race to me," Rodd said.

"Obviously the mare last year, it was one of the best performances I've been involved in. What she was able to do, winning it sitting three deep without cover and beating probably one of the best fields we've seen go around.

"Sincero was good winning the year before and I'm definitely on a horse this year that can do it."

The Paul Beshara-trained Happy Trails is second-up at Caulfield after an unplaced Spring Stakes run and has been readied for the Memsie with a barrier trial last week.

"He has fitness on his side and he's got a good barrier so there's no reason why he can't come out and make it three for me," Rodd said.

The winner of 16 Melbourne spring carnival Group One races since 2006, Rodd heads into this year's campaign without the backing of a major stable.

For six years he was stable rider for Atlantic Jewel's trainer Mark Kavanagh before going freelance in January.

"It's one I'm definitely tackling by myself, but I know enough owners and trainers now and I'm getting enough support," Rodd said.

"My name is out there."

He admits the build-up to this spring has been a little flatter and quieter than 2013 without Atlantic Jewel, but he is thankful he got the chance to be associated with the star mare until injury ended her race career before the Cox Plate.

"I don't think I'll see one like her. She was a freak and if she could have stayed sound, who knows what she could have achieved," Rodd said.

"At least I got to get on one. Every jockey wants to win a Group One race and be associated with a good horse. And I've ticked a few of those boxes."

Rodd says he loves this time of year and hopes to add more big race wins to his tally which already includes a Melbourne Cup (2007) and Cox Plate (2008).

"I just want to be consistent at this time of year," he said.

"With my weight I don't ride much under 55 (kilos) so I am limited. But I just want to make sure that I'm hitting the target when I get the right rides."