Another inspired front running ride from veteran jockey Jim Cassidy saw Hawkspur win back to back Group 2 $175,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick today.
Hawkspur, purple and white, scores back to back wins in the Chelmsford Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Cassidy took Hawkspur ($10) to the front in the early stages and after being headed by stablemate Royal Descent ($4.60) within the last 200m, Cassidy was able to lift the five year to the narrowest of wins.
Winning trainer Chris Waller continues to create records and as well as preparing Hawkspur and Royal Descent, the premiership winning trainer’s horses filled the first six places in the eight horse field.
Bagman ($31) ran on late for third to beat stablmates Sacred Falls (4th $3.40 favourite), Moriarty (5th $21) and Junoob (6th $41).
While the more fancied runners Criterion ($5.50) and Entirely Platinum ($4.60) finishied in seventh and eighth position.
Cassidy went to the stewards before the race to inform them that if Hawkspur jumped well there was a chance he could take up the lead, and Waller was prepared to let Cassidy make that call.
“Jim Cassidy said to me prior to the race, fifteen minutes out, twenty minutes out, don’t be surprised if I go to plan B and I might ride him a bit more positively,”
“He said that I’ve got the fittest horses in the race two runs back from a spell, so I may as well use that. That’s what makes Jim Cassidy so good.”
Cassidy said that the move to take Hawkspur to the front was the difference between winning and losing.
“I’d talked to Ray (Murrihy) and his stewards. I went to them before the race and said look plan A is not to lead but I want the option if I can,” Cassidy said.
“Weight for age races are won by good rides and I thought if I had the option to go forward to lead and I spoke to Chris and he said to do it if you have to.”
“I think it was a winning move for him today.”
Royal Descent looked like breaking a long winning drought after not visiting the winner’s stall since taking out the 2013 Group 1 $550,000 Patinack Farm Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.
