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The surprising record that Singapore champion trainer Alwin Tan and leading jockey Michael Rodd have never combined for a win was finally set straight on Sunday.
Granted, both are almost duty-bound by certain allegiances that had not really left the door open to many opportunities between the two men. Tan tends to gravitate around jockeys like Manoel Nunes, Olivier Placais or Oscar Chavez for rides while Rodd, who has been plying his trade at Kranji since 2015, garners most of his support from trainer Cliff Brown.
Potential bookings do crop up every now and then, but the timing does not always match.
“I’ve been trying to get Michael on my horses for a long time, but he is always booked,” said Tan.
Rodd also rued the clash of commitments for the lack of success in the match-making bids.
“I tend to ride mainly for Cliffy, but I’m always happy to take outside rides when I’m available. It’s not been very often for Alwin, though,” said Rodd, who has saluted for a wide mix of trainers in 142 previous wins at Kranji, but never for Tan.
Along came Grey Falcon, a horse who has earned a growing reputation as a bridesmaid with his six times on the board from eight previous outings. Some may have seen Rodd’s rare booking by Tan as an omen it could be the change of fortunes connections have long been pining for, but Rodd played down his role after he was able to steer the Thai-owned son of Align to an emphatic four-length win from One Kinabalu (John Powell) in the $75,000 El Padrino 2014 & 2015 Stakes, a Restricted Maiden race over 1100m.
“I think he was overracing a touch with the blinkers on,” said the Australian jockey.
“He was also waiting for someone to come at him and get run down with the blinkers on.
“But he was very relaxed today. I was sitting on him for the first time and he didn’t pull at all.
“I reckon we can also take a sit on him next time. That will add another string to his bow.
“It’s great to ride my first winner for Alwin. As you know, I don’t really get the chance to take his rides, but if I’m available and I can take some of his, I’d be a happy man.”
Tan was certainly happy with Rodd’s contribution in unlocking the winning flair in the three-year-old owned by the Falcon Racing No 6 Stable, who had members out in force at Kranji on Sunday.
“Finally, he’s broken the ice. I’m happy for his Thai owners who are here at the track today,” said the Singaporean handler.
“Michael showed good judgement on the horse. There was a bit of pace in the race and he had a nice run on the rails, and the removal of blinkers also helped.
“Normally, it’s either Manoel Nunes or Nooresh Juglall who ride this horse, but they were both committed in that race. It’s very hard to get Michael, but finally he said okay.
“I don’t have anything really planned for this horse, just look for a better race for him.”
While Grey Falcon ($26) was finally opening his win-account, his bank account was already quite healthy thanks to his number of placings, and has now swollen to the $85,000 mark.