No matter which state Larry Cassidy has been riding in you can always bet on one thing- He is going to be riding many winners and will always be at the top of premiership tables.
All the top trainers are wanting him up on their horses, as you know what you are going to get when he is on their back. His consistency this season has been sensational and he has got a few over the line which would have been lucky to win without his silky skills. Again on the weekend he chalked up another double with Danagaze and Heartshaker putting in very good runs, and just getting nailed on Florida Fellow by the classy Show A Prince.
I had a chat with Larry about his winners and started by asking about Danagaze who won over the 1200m trip first up, and I asked how much improvement he will take from the win. “He will take a lot of improvement, he was pretty above himself and fresh. I have a nice opinion of him and I think he can win a nice race with him down the track.” Cassidy told me. He also added that he definitely thinks Danagaze can compete at open level and if he keeps improving that a listed race would not be out of the question, as he has a nice turn of the foot.
His other nice winner was Heartshaker for Robert Heathcote. It had been a bit unlucky last start and had run three straight seconds but on Saturday was just far too good for that field. Larry told me “It was a well deserved win the other day and I thought he won quite easily really, I can’t see why he won’t get a bit further in distance. He is honest and tough and that will take him a little way.”
Again both those horses were a class above their rivals on the weekend but you can’t put a price on having a bloke like Cassidy aboard them. Both rides were patient and very well timed. I think he is in red hot form, and it is almost a case of being scared of leaving horses out that he is on, as he may give them a pearler and knock you off!
I wrote in another article a couple of weeks ago about Damian Browne and his strike rate, and we really should sit back and enjoy the fact that we are blessed with some exceptional jockey’s in our state at the moment. Byrne, Colless, Browne, Munce and Cassidy would all hold their own anywhere they ride, and some off the young apprentices like the Wood brothers and Tim Bell are all taking steps in the right direction to make our ranks even stronger.
Leading into this weekend Cassidy said he was looking forward to Captain Clayton and Jasminka as two of his strongest mounts, and added he was very happy with how the mare had come back this prep. I’m sure he has some other nice rides as well and you would be a game punter to say he couldn’t get yet another double or treble this weekend!
*** Just a little note to say it took a while to get some posts up this week as I was at Qtis 600 and have been crook. So thanks for checking in and remember to spread the brissyraces.com.au word.
Cheers
Gibbo
