A Wild Ride From Melrose Place To Rosehill

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday February 7, 2006

By CHRIS ROOTS

MICHAEL Rodd gets his first chance on the big stage since returning to Australia when he teams with the Graeme Rogerson-trained Grammatical in the $500,000 Inglis Classic (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The 24-year-old spent a year riding in Hong Kong and a month in Europe before returning to the saddle in Brisbane two weeks ago.

"I just wanted to get away from racing and clear my head a bit," Rodd said.

"Being in Hong Kong, it was pretty full on but a great experience. The only thing is, it's a little like Melrose Place over there, with everyone living together and a lot of pressure to perform."

Rodd will base himself on the Gold Coast but is keen to ride all the major carnivals.

He has eight rides on Saturday and knows first impressions will count if he's to get his name back in the spotlight.

Rodd was pleased to be offered the ride on the Lloyd Williams-owned Grammatical, who returned to racing with a game fourth to Miss Finland in the Talindert Stakes (1000m) at Flemington last month.

"He ran a good race first-up down the straight and I'll be getting a couple of tapes of him later in the week," Rodd said.

"To be riding for Lloyd Williams and Rogie is a great start.

"The thing about being overseas is, it's a bit of out of mind, out of sight, and I need to show I can ride at this level again.

"I know it's going to be tough but if I can get a couple of decent rides and do my best I'm sure it will work out."

Rodd will ride Lord Of The Land in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) after Jay Ford was suspended for careless riding when he won the Lightning Stakes (1000m) on Takeover Target at Flemington on Saturday. Ford will be back on Takeover Target for the Australia Stakes on February 18. Some Saturday Kembla Grange nominations have been extended until this morning.

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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