No better place and people for Todd’s milestone
HE has excelled in the pressure-cooker racing environment in Melbourne, but star hoop Jarrod Todd could not have wished for a better setting to bring up his 500th win in Australia on Saturday.
That was via eight-year-old Taciturn in the $17,500 Prost to Oktoberfest Handicap (1600m) at Fannie Bay.
The talented rider loves Darwin and he is loving riding for the Gary Clarke stable, the victory one of three for the champion trainer on the day.
“Gary and Sharlene Clarke were already the leading trainers before I moved up to Darwin, but they’re never ones to boast about their successes,” Todd said.
“It’s just enjoyable racing for them and it never really feels like work.
“They’re so humble and they always want to help others.
“They’re such talented trainers and they know the ins and outs of all their horses.
“If one of their horses isn’t 100 per cent they won’t race it.”
Todd – an accomplished rider when in Melbourne with more lucrative races on offer – is happier than ever racing in the Top End. That is especially so after transferring to the Clarke stable in January, 2020.
The talk back then was it was the new super team of Territory racing, and Todd and the Clarkes have lived up to that hype.
“I came to Darwin from Melbourne and it’s a great lifestyle up here for me and my family,” Todd said.
“You can race every day in Melbourne but you can also run yourself into the ground.
“I needed a work-life balance and I’ve got that up here.”
Other winners on Saturday were Salty (trainer Phil Cole, jockey Paul Shiers), Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Clarke, Jessica Gray), Overruled (Emma Steel, Stan Tsaikos) and Bel’s Banner (Clarke, Todd).