Definitely ready: Rodd returns with a victory

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday September 17, 2009

John Schell and Geoff Wilson

MELBOURNE CUP-winning jockey Michael Rodd made a successful return to the saddle yesterday when steering Definitely Ready to a course record-breaking victory at Sandown.The ride on the Mark Kavanagh-trained speedster was Rodd's first since breaking a wrist in a trackwork accident at Flemington on July 28. "It's great to be back in action, I've been working hard on my fitness during my time out and I'm primed for the carnival now," Rodd said.Kavanagh is out to provide Rodd with a group 1 double at Caulfield on Saturday with the jockey set to ride star four-year-old Whobegotyou in the Underwood Stakes and improving performer Raffaello in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.Kavanagh will also start Maldivian, on which Rodd won last year's Cox Plate, in the Underwood with Craig Williams taking the mount.Maldivian yesterday came up with gate 13 for the Underwood, which has attracted a capacity field. Whobegotyou, last year's Caulfield Guineas winner and Victoria Derby runner-up, drew barrier 10."Whobegotyou has come back from his spell in great shape," said Rodd. "He was strong in winning the Dato Tan Chin Nam last weekend and the step up to 1800m this weekend looks perfect."I've obviously got a soft spot for Maldivian. He's been a great horse to me. You'd expect him to improve on his first-up run over an unsuitable trip when he runs around in the Underwood."Steven King and Damien Oliver have been taking the bulk of the rides for Kavanagh in Rodd's absence but that pair of jockeys will be on Predatory Pricer and Vigor respectively in the Underwood.– From racing's outpost of Cloncurry to winning the Cameron Handicap less than a week later, that is the latest Robert Thompson story.Australia's winningest jockey has traversed countless kilometres in search of success recently. He won the Cairns Cup and last Saturday won a race at Cloncurry.But those victories paled into insignificance after Thompson produced a patient ride to triumph in the Cameron on Absolutelyfabulous."I have waited 35 years to win a Cameron, that is why I never retired," Thompson said. "It has been one race that eluded me so far €“ but not now."The Newcastle Jockey Club's premier race for three-year-olds, the Spring Stakes (1600m) was won by Lovemelikearock who, with jockey Glyn Schofield on board, whipped around her rivals at the 700m mark and then held off all challengers in the straight.

© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald

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