Rodd Hoping To Ride Amexed Forward In Grand Prix Stakes

Jockey Michael Rodd has revealed that he is hoping that he will be able to ride Amexed closer to the speed in the 2014 Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.

Amexed is available at Grand Prix Stakes odds of $3.90 after he stamped himself as a Queensland Derby contender with a win in the Rough Habit Plate.

Amexed is available at Grand Prix Stakes odds of $3.90 after he stamped himself as a Queensland Derby contender with a win in the Rough Habit Plate. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Amexed jumped from the gates well and was ridden just behind the leaders when he scored his maiden race win at the Sunshine Coast on April 26, but Rodd was forced to settle the son of Pentire in the second half of the field after he missed the start in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 10.

The three-year-old was able to overcome his poor start to score a narrow win over Telepathic in the Rough Habit Plate, but Rodd told Racing Ahead that he will be looking to take advantage of his inside draw in the Grand Prix Stakes this weekend.

“He can definitely race closer,” Rodd said.

“He blew the start last time, but when he won his maiden he pinged out on the speed.

“I am just hoping that he is on his best behavior in the barriers so that I can take advantage of that good draw.”

Amexed failed to record a race win in his maiden preparation, but his performances improved as he stepped up in distance and he appeared to relish the step-up to 2000 metres in the Rough Habit Plate.

Rodd said that he is confident the Tony Gollan-trained gelding will have no problems stepping up to 2200 metres and is hoping that the three-year-old is able to replicate his Rough Habit Plate performance in the Grand Prix Stakes this weekend.

“He went from his maiden straight to a Group 3 and really was very impressive,”

“He beat the Kiwi filly that has a fair few wraps on her and he is just only going to improve again.

“He is still learning what it is all about and he is still a bit on the immature side, but I am hoping that he can come out and run well tomorrow and lead into the Derby.

“He is a very relaxed horse and he is very laidback and he gives you every indication that tomorrow’s distance will be fine and the Queensland Derby, more importantly, will be right up his alley.”

Amexed ($3.90) remains a narrow favourite in 2014 Grand Prix Stakes betting markets, but there has also been plenty of support for Telepathic ($4.20) and Glorious Lad ($6.50).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.