A win by Zoustar in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday will put in-form jockey Jim Cassidy on ninety-nine Group 1 wins.
Zoustar could be Jim Cassidy's 99th G1 winner if he wins the Golden Rose at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Cassidy is sitting on ninety-eight Group 1 wins and the chances of him breaking the century during the Spring Carnival is a huge possibility especially as he getting plenty of rides for the all-conquering Chris Waller stable.
The Waller trained Zoustar ran a pleasing fourth at his first run back from a short spell behind Va Pensiero in the Group 3 $125,000 MTA NSW Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on August 31 and the leading trainer is certain to have the three year old at his peak on Saturday.
Cassidy knows that the hundred Group 1 winners are not far away and gives Zoustar a great chance of getting him closer to the mark.
“I don’t know when it will happen, but it will,” Cassidy told AAP.
“I’m on Zoustar in the Golden Rose and hopefully he can get the job done this week.”
“I just concentrate on riding winners.”
Zoustar raced in Brisbane during the Winter Carnival and returned to Sydney with a win in the Group 2 $250,000 Al Basti Equiworld BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350) at Doomben and a second to Romantic Touch in the Group 1 $500,000 Patinack Farm J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm with Cassidy in the saddle on both occasions.
Cassidy has been riding in great form and chalked up another double at Randwick last Saturday on Aussies Love Sport for Gai Waterhouse in the Group 3 $125,000 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap (1400m) and on Hawkspur for Waller in the Group 2 $175,000 Tattersall’s Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
Hawkspur was Cassidy’s last Group 1 winner with the pair combining to win the $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8 and the four year old is on target for another Group 1 win during the Spring.
Hawkspur is currently equal favourite with Super Cool at $10 for the Group 1 $2.65m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19 and is rated a $14 chance in the Group 1 $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
Zoustar is in the third line of betting for the Golden Rose at $7.50 behind Melbourne colts Prince Harada at $4 and Fast ‘N’ Rocking at $5.50.
