The winning combination of Chris Waller and Jim Cassidy teamed up again to chalk up another Group 1 win with Zoustar taking out the $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill today.
Zoustar and Jim Cassidy winning the Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Waller knew that Zoustar and Cassidy would have to be at the top of their games to win the first Group 1 of the Sydney Spring Carnival after coming up the outside gate at the barrier draw earlier in the week.
But Cassidy didn’t let that worry him and devised his winning plan on the way to starting gates today.
Cassidy, who scored his ninety-ninth Group 1 win, let Zoustar settle near the tail of the field before moving forward approaching the home.
Even tough Zoustar was the widest runner on the corner, Cassidy knew he had a lap full of horse and had a clear run to the line while some of the top pre-race fancies were still looking for the way clear.
“What persuaded me was that Chris said don’t be scared to go back. By the time I got to the barrier I thought about it I thought just go back,” Cassidy said.
“I didn’t want to burn petrol early with other races in mind and I said to Chris and the team before I went out I was backing the horses ability and mine. I knew Chris had already done his job so the rest was up to me and the horse.”
Zoustar ($7.50) , who scored by a neck, was having his second run back from a short spell and carried on his good winter form that saw him run second to Romantic Touch in the Group 1 $500,000 Patinack Farm J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.
The Peter Moody trained Dissident ($9) made it three seconds in a row after dashing to the front at the 200m and Bull Point ($31) put in an outstanding run to finish third after being four lengths behind the second last horse at the 800m.
Waller picks up his second Group 1 this season after Foreteller took out the Group 1 $350,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last weekend and knew he had the right horse to win today.
“It’s a great thirll. When the barrier draws came out Tuesday obviously I went bugger, but we just look at the positives,” Waller said.
“We have to have the right horse to win the race anyway and sure he will have to be a little bit better than average to win it from out there.”
