Rodd Sitting Pretty For Derby Assault
Newcastle Herald
Saturday November 1, 2008
"UNLIKE some, I reckon class beats that other thing and this horse has so much class that I am sure he will be winning again."
That is cheeky jockey Michael Rodd putting his spin on why he thinks Whobegotyou is a good thing in today's Victoria Derby.Whobegotyou is being hailed as the new wonder horse of Australian racing after his devastating series of wins in the Bill Stutt Stakes, Caulfield Guineas and AAMI Vase.The last horse to claim that treble was Helenus, which was odds-on favourite when he went on to win the 2002 Victoria Derby.A win in the 2500-metre staying classic today would put the imprimatur on Whobegotyou's status as a superstar."I know he has to run out the two-five [2500 metres], and there has to be a question mark about him at that distance right now because he has never been over it," said Rodd, last year's Melbourne Cup-winning jockey."But really, the same can be said for all of them."And, on what they have done so far, I won't be swapping Derby mounts."I am sure, even if he wasn't a true stayer, that his class would get him home in this Derby."I think there will be pace, and once my horse lets go with his run in the straight, the rest of them had better watch out."Rodd said he had no doubt Whobegotyou is as good now as when he rounded up his fellow three-year-olds and bolted away last Saturday over 2040m in a time far superior to that which Cox Plate winner Maldivian with Rodd in the saddle ran for the same distance."I sat on his back on Wednesday and he felt as good as ever," Rodd said."I don't think the run last week has harmed him."If anything he seems a bit sharper. Yes, he is ready to go again."Rodd was reluctant to list any major rival today."I am on the one to beat. They have to worry about me, not the other way round."Rodd said he was looking forward to the future with Whobegotyou."I have no doubt the best of this horse is yet to be seen," Rodd said. "I mean that in the sense that he is yet to mature fully, and when he does he will be an awesome sight."Trainer Mark Kavanagh would not declare Whobegotyou over the line, given his experience in the Caulfield Cup last year with Maldivian."I am trying to be a bit careful because the last one I had that they said was over the line, well, he wasn't," Kavanagh said. Maldivian was the raging favourite for the 2007 Caulfield Cup but was dramatically scratched when he slashed his neck in the barrier. "I am trying to keep everything calm and not get too excited," Kavanagh said."I wouldn't be having my $10 on him at $1.50, but I wouldn't be swapping him for any other runner either." The Mick Price-trained Pre Eminence is the only other horse under double-figure odds, posted at $9 with TAB Sportsbet, after leading all the way last start in the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield two weeks ago. Larry's Never Late finished fourth in the Norman Robinson but has been crying out for ground and was $11. Buffett was $13 and My Scotsgrey ($18) was next best. Buffett ran second in the AAMI Vase, and New Zealander My Scotsgrey flashed home from last to finish second in last week's Geelong Classic (2206m).The Tiger ($21) led all the way to win the Geelong Classic, but Haymaker (1974) was the last of only three winners of that race to go on and take the Derby. The others were the great Tobin Bronze (1965) and Dayana (1972). Geoff Wilson travelled to Melbourne courtesy of Kerry Phillips Great Events.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald
