Pollard off to great start in training career

By Glenn Davis

Rookie trainer Todd Pollard couldn’t have wished for a better start to his fledgling career, but it comes as no great surprise looking at his resume.

The 31-year-old Eagle Farm-based conditioner only started training in March and has an excellent strike-rate of 35.7% with five wins from 14 starters.

Pollard admits he’s been surprised with his great start and is looking to build on the record when he heads to Eagle Farm on Wednesday with his sole starter Valencia Roc in the Class 1 Handicap over 1200 metres.

“It’s been a very good start and I’ve been very lucky,” Pollard said.

“I can’t believe the start I’ve had to be honest.

“You need a lot of luck in this game and fortunately I’ve had some starting off.”

Pollard doesn’t have a family background in racing but was bitten by the bug to become a trainer when he was only 12.

“I grew up around Matamata in New Zealand and when I was 12, I got my first job in the industry working after school for Graham Richardson,” Pollard said.

“That’s when I was bitten by the racing bug and I always wanted to be a trainer since then.”

While at high school, Pollard gained a scholarship for the Godolphin Flying Start program which provided him with a global education in the thoroughbred industry.

He later worked for three years as a Racing Manager for Kiwi trainer Stephen Marsh from 2018 to 2021 and gained a Bachelor's degree in commerce while studying at Massey University.

He then decided to move to Sydney in 2021 before eventually making his way to Queensland where he was appointed stable manager for Sydney trainer Annabel Archibald, who opened a Gold Coast satellite stable.

Pollard has had a lot of early success with jockey Ben Thompson and has booked him for Valencia Roc.

Valencia Roc was formerly trained by popular Eagle Farm trainer Brian J Smith and was successful at her only start for Pollard when she won a 1200 metre maiden at Doomben on April 15.

“She won quite well first-up for me when Ben (Thompson) rode her, that’s why he’s staying on,” Pollard said.

“He’s a great rider and I’ve had a lot of success with him since I started training.

“Brian J Smith's wife, Emma, does a lot of vet work for me and she stayed in the ownership when Valencia Roc came to me.”

Pollard believes Valencia Roc is a handy mare and is capable of progressing through the grades to open company.

“I’m hopeful she can go two from two and go through the grades but it’s a tricky time of the year around carnival time,” he said.