Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michael Rodd returns to the saddle this weekend with his first metropolitan ride for just over three months due to an enforced break through illness.
The star jockey is scheduled to take three rides at Ballarat on Saturday before making his city return at Sandown on Sunday.
Rodd has been suffering from Post Viral Fatigue and hasn't ridden since his birthday on January 19 at Flemington where he relinquished his final four rides of the day.
At Sandown on Sunday, Rodd reunites with trainer Mark Kavanagh for his only ride for the day on Mermaid's Flannel.
Rodd and Kavanagh have enjoyed great success together in recent years and the former Adelaide trainer has provided Rodd with three of his four return rides this weekend, including two at Ballarat on Saturday.
“I've been riding most of my work for Mark and I feel terrific”, commented Rodd, who has been back riding track work since March 25.
Rodd's manager Michael O'Brien is confident the 26 year-old is ready to return.
“He's a bit heavy at the moment and he's been off for so long there is no point pushing the envelope,” O'Brien said, referring to Rodd only having four rides for the weekend.
“He did six or seven trials at Cranbourne last Monday and felt good and he's probably as good as he is going to be without having a race ride."
Rodd's return coincides with the Melbourne Racing Club Committee declaring Sunday a free day for all patrons.
