Michael Rodd thanked the racing gods after heartbreak filly Dariana repaid punters with a dominant win in the $500,000 Group One Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm yesterday.
Rodd was suspended last week when Dariana threw her Queensland Oaks chances away by turning her head into an adjacent stall just asthe field jumped and taking no part in the race.
Rodd incurred his suspension when he partnered Dariana into third place in the Doomben Roses and the Oaks mishap, when his close mate Steven Arnold was aboard, allowed him to regain the mount in the Derby.
"I was just lucky enough that she got out the gates and I was the one steering her around," Rodd said.
Dariana's win gave the legendary Bart Cummings his 260th Group One win and provided him with the perfect tonic as he recovers from influenza.
Rodd rode Dariana ($5) with his typical patience and the Redoute's Choice filly exploded when he sent her to the front at the 250m mark and went on to win by 4 lengths.
Victorian colt Kutchinsky ($3.20 fav) came from a long way back to finish second but he was no match for the winner. Queensland Oaks winner Miss Keepsake ($8) was a game third.
