Leading jockey Michael Rodd is delighted with the condition of Australian Cup winner Super Cool as the rising four-year-old enters the serious stages of his preparation for the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.

Michael Rodd is delighted with the condition of Cox Plate contender Super Cool. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Rodd partnered Super Cool in all eight starts of his three-year-old campaign, which was highlighted by victories in the Group 2 Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley, Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield and the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington, and believes that the Fastnet Rock colt has returned from the spelling paddock as a much stronger and mature horse.

“He’s grown into a nice four-year-old, he’s exciting because he keeps stepping up,” Rodd told TVN.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh is yet to reveal which major race Super Cool will target during the spring with the rising four-year-old considered a leading contender for the Caulfield Cup (2400m), Cox Plate (2040m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m).

If the Cox Plate is chosen as the target for Super Cool Rodd may have to make a difficult decision as super mare Atlantic Jewel, who is another one of his regular rides, could also be on a Cox Plate path.

The Injury-plagued four-year-old has not raced since her victory in the 2012 Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) last April but is reportedly nearing a return to the races with the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 17 and a battle with three-quarter sister Commanding Jewel a possibility.

Rodd has not ridden the undefeated mare since she returned to trackwork but he is hopeful he will get an opportunity in the next week.

“Brooke is her work rider, she is her baby and they get on really well,” the leading jockey said.

“She can be a bit quirky, so ‘Kav’ (trainer Mark Kavanagh) leaves me off.

“It probably won’t be until another week or so until I get on her.”

Rodd and Kavanagh combined in 2008 to win the Cox Plate with Maldivian.