Free Standing gives Rode a happy holiday with Championships win
CATHLEEN Rode says she will be heading on a vacation to celebrate Free Standing’s stunning win in Saturday’s Country Championships final at Royal Randwick.
Rated a $31 roughie, Free Standing managed to settle just off the pace in the early stages before gaining a rails run in the home straight and sprinting clear to score by two-and-a-half-lengths under Blake Shinn.
The victory was win number four for the bay gelding, raising its prize money earnings in excess of $427,000.
Rode, who gave her charge a big chance heading into the feature, said the triumph was a career highlight.
“I was quietly confident – the horse was well and he was nice and calm and relaxed – he was taking it all in his stride,” Rode told Horse Betting.
“I was in the mounting yard – it was very exciting to see him hit the front. Once he led I didn’t think they would catch him – once he gets sight of the line he really goes for it.
“It was a big performance – he is a good boy. It was a race to tick off my bucket list – it was very exciting – it’s what you dream of as a trainer.”
Well done Cath! One of the great people in @racing_nsw. Hope she enjoys a well-earned break.#TheChampionships https://t.co/rpRQsued5x
— Horse Betting (@HorseBettingAU) April 1, 2017
Free Standing is a horse that got flooded out of her training facilities and had an interrupted prep. Great Country #TheChampionships story.
— Horse Betting (@HorseBettingAU) April 1, 2017
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing with Free Standing. Purchased for just $2,600 by Rode’s partner Stephen Thompson, the son of Equiano and Motown Melody had been a handful in the early part of his career.
“We purchased him at an Inglis mixed sale down in Melbourne,” Rode said.
“When we were breaking him in he was going nice for a while, but then he got cast in the boxes and hurt himself.
“I had to put him out and let him heal and when we put him back in work he bucked – he bucked for about three or four preps.
“Finally, it looks like he has grown out of it – and he has just stopped wearing blinkers too because he used to look back at the rider.
“Now he doesn’t need them because he is very confident within himself and he has just continued to improve.
“There has been a few challenging times with him – he has wiped me out on the ground more than a couple of times – but he always showed a bit of speed and ability.
“Because we are only a small team you have to persevere with what you’ve got – you can’t throw them away and get another horse in its place.
“The win makes it all worthwhile.”
Rode, who only has three horses in work, said thrills like Saturday’s win make up for the challenging times within the industry.
Based at Coffs Harbour, it has been a long road to success for Rode, whose passion for racing started at a young age.
“I am the black sheep of my family. I loved Mr Ed when I was four and when I was 15 I worked down at Randwick as a strapper.
“After that I went to Uni and I became a riding teacher – but after a while I came back to racing.
“There are some real highs and lows being a trainer, but days like Saturday certainly make it worthwhile.”
Rode says her plans are to now give Free Standing a short spell for a month before bringing him back into work while she herself also enjoys some well earned rest.
“Even though you should never put a horse out while its on a winning streak I have decided to spell him because I promised myself win, lose or draw I would take a holiday after the series because I haven’t been on vacation in more than seven years.
“I am going to babysit my granddaughter up in QLD during the second week of the school holidays, so that’s where I will start.
“After that I was thinking about camping, but after the win on Saturday I think I am going to be able to stay in some nice hotels.”