3 minute read

A bit of homework as well as getting out of your comfort zone can pay dividends in racing as jockey Michael Rodd happily found out on Friday night.

The Australian jockey, who takes the bulk of his rides from trainer Cliff Brown, had no booking in the $45,000 Class 4 Non Premier race over 1600m.

But after digging into the handicaps, an interesting fact about one of the entries caught his eye. The Hideyuki Takaoka-trained Angel Halo had dirt form in Japan even if all his five winless starts at Kranji had been on turf.

In eight starts on the alternative track in his place of birth, the King Halo four-year-old boasted a handy record of five wins.

Even if Rodd, who is at his fourth season in Singapore, seldom rides for Takaoka and has actually never won for him, he did have his phone number and to his delight, he was given the nod – and eventually a first hurrah together.

Takaoka, who was not on hand as he had flown to the Hokkaido Sales earlier in the day, would have no doubt been pleased with that first winning combination with the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey.

With Hooga Net (Barend Vorster) stacking up the speed after taking up the running, Rodd obviously did not like the slow tempo as he allowed Angel Halo ($34) to whip around in a bid to inject more speed into the race.

Wresting the lead 600m out, the Japanese-bred looked to have the momentum swinging his way as he left Hooga Net in his dust at the top of the lane, but the complexion of the race was not yet immovable.

Given her full head by jockey Olivier Placais, Turf Princess popped onto the scene at the 300m with a big run. The Daliapour mare collared Angel Halo and looked all poised for victory as she poked her head in front, but that was when Rodd went calling upon his mount’s greater stamina.

Angel Halo surprisingly came back with a second wind to lock horns with Lee Freedman’s mare. A stiff ding-dong battle between the pair ensued all the way to the line, where the photo print revealed that Angel Halo had landed the chocolates by a short head from Turf Princess.

Hooga Net ran third another 2 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 40.34secs for the 1600m on the Polytrack.

Standing in for Takaoka, assistant-trainer Ryohei Hatano said Rodd’s early move down the back was the clincher.

“Michael showed good judgement at the 1000m. The pace was too slow and his decision to go forward paid off,” said Hatano.

“We’ve been running this horse on turf here, but he actually had good form on dirt in Japan. We thought the Polytrack should suit him.

“I was not super confident, but I thought he would still put in a good run on the Polytrack. The boss will be happy with that win.”

Rodd was also all smiles as he weighed in even if he was blowing a little after throwing everything bar the kitchen sink in his duel with Placais inside the last furlong. It was after all well worth the effort.

“This horse was a winner on dirt in Japan. As I didn’t have any rides in that race, I rang Taky up,” said Rodd.

“I couldn’t restrain him in the back as he’s a stayer and it’s not his go to sit and sprint. He showed plenty of ticker when Olivier’s horse went past him.

“It was a tough brilliant win. I’ve ridden a couple of times for Taky before, but that’s my first winner for him, it’s all good.”

That maiden Kranji win has now taken Angel Halo’s earnings past the $30,000 mark for the West Forest Stable.