Trainer Matt Dunn has declared Lady Banff a certain starter at Eagle Farm with multiple Group One-winning jockey Michael Rodd to ride.
Rodd rode at Eagle Farm last Saturday, leading NSW to a Jockeys Origin series win and winning the $250,000 The Gateway on Vega One.
Singapore-based Rodd was taking a family holiday in central Queensland when he got a phone call from his Australian manager Cameron Partington, who is also Jim Byrne’s agent.
Byrne broke a leg in a fall at Doomben on Wednesday and is scheduled for surgery.
“There is a shortage of senior riders at the moment and Michael agreed to cut his holiday short and take a few rides including Lady Banff,” Partington said.
“He will be back for Magic Millions day (January 11) and should have plenty of rides.”
Lady Banff is unbeaten in two starts and has safely qualified for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
She is drawn wide in what will be a 10-horse field in Saturday’s QTIS Handicap (1000m) and Dunn was debating whether she should start.
“There are six emergencies so it is hard to predict from which barrier she will actually start but it will be wide,” Dunn said.
“We went through the statistics for the new track and you can sit wide and win. She needs to run so she will start.”
Rodd will also ride Mosshiki (Grand Prix), Ingear (3Y0) and Happy Hooves (Provincial Final).