Former Kranji-based jockey Michael Rodd made a triumphant return to the winner’s circle on Friday night after being away from the races for over two years.
Not seen in the saddle since May 16, 2021, Rodd resumed riding on Saturday, October 28, at Doomben, Queensland, where he has been based since leaving Singapore in early May 2020. A debilitating battle against post-concussion syndrome, stemming from a series of falls, resulted in Rodd experiencing symptoms such as heavy fatigue, loss of sleep, and extreme sensitivity to light.
However, Rodd clinched his first victory on his fourth ride back from a spell last Friday night at the Sunshine Coast, guiding the $1.55 Shaun Dywer-trained Anemacore to an easy 2.3-length victory. Reportedly, despite substantial offers, the owner refused to part with Anemacore prior to its second-up win, and it appears that Rodd has aligned himself with a promising horse on the rise.
