Jockey Michael Rodd is pleased with Melbourne Cup ride Red Cadeaux
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michael Rodd had his first feel of his 2011 Melbourne Cup ride, English stayer Red Cadeaux at Werribee.
Under a cloudy sky Rodd, who won the 2007 Melbourne Cup on Efficient, made the trip out to the international quarantine training and stabling facility to work Red Cadeaux, presently a $31 chance in tomorrow week’s Cup.
Red Cadeaux worked 1600m at three-quarter pace.
“He has a lovely nature, looks fantastic and has traveled over really well,” Rodd said.
“I’ve told he likes the juice in the ground, so if it keeps raining it will suit him.”
Rodd said he was prepared to ride at 53.5kg, which is about 1kg below his usual riding weight, so highly did he rate Red Cadeaux’s chances.
“I’ll be tightening the screw this week and be right to ride this horse at his weight next Tuesday,” he said.
Red Cadeaux finished a closing third, beaten one length, behind Jukebox Jury in the Irish St Leger, at his last run.
The horse previously won at the Curragh Cup by nine lengths on rain affected ground.
Red Cadeaux also defeated Cup candidates Moyenne Corniche, Fox Hunt and Saptapadi at Hamilton on a track rated good in May.
Considering he is better thought of as a wet tracker, it may be a good sign of his ability.
Americain pulled up extremely well after his Moonee Valley Cup win on Saturday according to the stable representative Stephanie Nigge.
English stayers Jukebox Jury and Fox Hunt did only cantering exercise while Godolphin duo Lost In The Moment and Modun did light work.
Red Cadeaux, Fux Hunt, Jukebox Jury, Lost In The Moment, Americain and Modun are safely in the top 24 qualifiers for the Melbourne Cup.
The Brian Ellison trained duo Moyenne Corniche (27th) and Saptapadi (28th) are presently just outside.
They along with Luca Cumani’s Bauer (29th) will be hoping some of those ahead either drop out or they qualify through Saturday’s Lexus Stakes (2500m) which gains the winner a queue jump and automatic Cup entry.
