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For a self-confessed ‘lackadaisical’ jockey, Michael Rodd said his 2018 season has far exceeded his expectations - and that a Singapore champion jockey title would be the cherry on the cake.
The Australian heavyweight rider is not making a first senior title his primary goal in life – but deep down, it would of course tickle him pink.
Rodd has won four titles (one in Gold Coast and three in metropolitan Brisbane) as an apprentice jockey during his formative years in Queensland, but never as a senior jockey, be it in Brisbane, Melbourne where he moved to eventually or Hong Kong, the other overseas jurisdiction he plied his trade at in 2004-2005, when he just came out of his time.
This is the first time he is in the running for top honours. With 66 winners on the board, only two behind current leader and defending Singapore champion jockey Vlad Duric, the next five meetings will keep Kranji on tenterhooks as to who between the Australian pair will emerge on top.
French jockey Olivier Placais is still in the mix, but slightly detached on 63 winners.
It may well go down to the wire, but Rodd is as usual cool as a cucumber.
“I’m not putting any pressure on myself. I ride what I have and for what they can do, and if the title comes, it’s a bonus,” he said.
“I’m very happy with the way my year has gone. I’m up on my tally compared to my previous seasons (except for his first year in 2015 when he brought up 81 winners).
“Vlad and myself are restricted in our weights, but we’ve finished in front of many lightweight riders.
“Vlad knows his horses so well and does his homework. I’m in comparison more lackadaisical, and sometimes I compare myself with Vlad and tell myself I should do the same thing.
“But it’s not quite me. In saying this, I think I’ve done very well.”
One mount Rodd hopes can help him reel Duric in on Friday night is Filibuster, once a flighty filly who tested countless barrier handlers’ patience, but who has now mellowed out into a sensible mare.
A three-time winner over Polytrack, the four-year-old mare by Ilovethiscity is among the leading chances in the $80,000 Class 3 Division 2 race over 1100m, with the only blemish the outermost alley in 14.
“She’s going well. Cliff (Brown) has just changed a few things in training with her and she seems to be responding well,” said Rodd.
“She ran very well with the blinkers on the other day – third in a Class 3 race over 1000m, not far off the winner Nationality.
“She showed on that day she doesn’t necessarily have to lead but is not the type to sit a long way back either. She’s got a high cruising speed and needs to be up there – just roll up on the pace in the first four.
“The only query is the wide barrier. Hopefully, she can come across early.”
Rodd also reported that Filibuster does not show her edgy side in the barriers anymore.
“The other day when Olivier’s (Placais) horse played up, half of the horses got knocked out in gates, but she stood as good as gold,” he said.
“She was just scaring herself at the beginning. (Singapore Turf Club starter) John Pepe and (Brown’s assistant-trainer) Tim Fitzsimmons have done a great job with her at the barriers.”
Whether Rodd finishes on top of the heap on December 9 remains to be seen, but one thing for sure is he will be back next year to keep the ball rolling.
“I’m grateful to the Singapore Turf Club for giving me another 12 months here. My family can stay in Singapore, a country we all love,” said Rodd.
“(Wife) Cara is also studying psychology at the James Cook University in Geylang here. She’s the smart one in the family, she was recently inducted into an award as the top student.
“For myself, there is so much to look forward to, mainly Debt Collector heading towards the Kranji Mile.”