Cassidy set for comeback

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 41

Cassidy set for comeback

NZPA-AAP Sydney Top Sydney jockey Jim Cassidy returns to race riding at Randwick on Saturday after a 12-month disqualification. Cassidy, who was given a 12-month suspension by Australian Jockey Club stewards over his ride on three-year-old Cruising in the Clintons Toyota Handicap at Rosehill on June 8 last year, will be riding freelance.

Before he was disquali-

fied Cassidy had been the number one rider for the Rosehill trainer, Brian Mayfield-Smith, but said he would not be tied to the one stable this time. Cassidy, aged 26, a former New Zealand jockey, could have ridden at the Warwick Farm meeting tomorrow, but has elected to wait until the week-end to make his comeback.

Cassidy said he was walking at 52.5 kg, and

hoped by the time the spring carnivals came around he would be back to his old riding weight of 50.5 kg. “I shouldn’t have any problem getting back to 50.5 kilos,” said Cassidy. “Naturally I put on weight while I was out of riding, but I should shed the extra pounds within six weeks.” “I will freelance while in Sydney, and hope to chase the carnivals

around Australia.”

Cassidy said he will ride at the Melbourne spring carnival for Bart Cummings, and was not perturbed if he missed out on winning the Sydney jockeys’ premiership which he won in his third full season in Australia during the 1985-86 season. Cassidy was also runner-up for the premiership in 1987-88, although he did not ride the last month of the season.