It wasn’t the normal pre-race warmup by any means.
In the second race at Eagle Farm on Thursday the Les Ross trained Our Hot Friend stepped out onto the track, did a quick 180 degree turn, planted his feet … and you just knew what was going to happen next.
As Our Hot Friend reared, stretching himself up as high as his legs could hold him, jockey Michael Rodd slipped off the side of the gelding and went to ground, landing reasonably softly given the circumstances.
Our Hot Friend didn’t bolt away as many horses have done before in that scenario, but instead stood there, looking down at his fallen rider.
For a moment there was ‘stare-down’ contest between Our Hot Friend and Rodd, who was quickly to his feet, always making eye contact with the horse, and ready to remount … which he did without any further mishap and the duo duly made their way to the start.
The ‘high jinx’ preliminaries were over. The race lay ahead.
Les Ross had two runners in the five-horse field … the top two horses in the betting … Mishani Bandit ($2.30) and Our Hot Friend ($3.50).
They vindicated their place on the betting boards fighting out a stirring, stride for stride finish with Rodd getting Out Hot Friend home by the narrowest of margins to complete a very interesting riding assignment on the best possible note.
