Racing: US next after Kiwi experience

By MIKE DILLON

Rhys McLeod is about to embark on an American riding odyssey.

Meeting recently retired United States champion jockey Chris McCarron in Melbourne three weeks ago was a dream come true for McLeod.

The Melbourne-based jockey has a maturity way beyond his years.

Which is why he is riding in New Zealand through December and January when he could be earning considerably more money in Australia.

"There are a whole lot of New Zealand horses racing in Australia these days and the contacts you make during this sort of riding trip will stay with you all your life."

Like the contacts McLeod will make during three months riding at California's Santa Anita racetrack.

The McCarron contact was made through Cambridge trainer Brian Jenkins, who made a big name for himself in Victoria when he won the Melbourne Cup with Jezabeel.

Jenkins was asked to help host McCarron, who was on holiday in Australia after acting as technical adviser of the racing scenes in the movie Sea Biscuit . "I took Chris to Sandown races, had lunch with him and told him to watch Rhys ride during the day," said Jenkins.

Jenkins is a big McLeod fan and brought him to New Zealand to win the Hawkes Bay Guineas on Stardane.

"Chris said he thought Rhys stood out among the Australian riders and when we had dinner that night, he offered him a three-month contract riding the Santa Anita meeting."

When he retired as one of the all-time great American riders, McCarron became general manager of Santa Anita.

"I'll be going up there to stay with Chris and his wife Judy and it's just a great opportunity," said McLeod at Avondale on Saturday.

"I'm still waiting for the contract to come through and things are never done until they are done, but I'm confident it will come through."

Increasingly, jockeys at the top end are developing a more international style of riding - Michael Walker switched completely during his time in Hong Kong - and McLeod will doubtless refine and alter his riding style after competing on the hugely different American circuit.

American jockeys rely on extreme balance and the push from their upper body strength.

McLeod already has a slightly similar style to the Americans, as he showed when he carried Montana Sprint over the line to win narrowly after looking beaten at Avondale last Wednesday.

Jenkins believes the likes of McLeod riding in New Zealand for extended periods may become more popular.

"Why not? They might be able to make a bit more money riding through mid-summer in places like Melbourne, but they can't ride group winners like they can here through the Ellerslie and Trentham carnival."

Jenkins said McLeod would be a great ambassador for racing in this part of the world.

"Rhys is a quality young man, he doesn't smoke or drink, he's very professional and, as Lance [O'Sullivan] said on television on Kelt Capital Stakes day, he's potentially world class," said Jenkins.