Evergreen jockey Jim Cassidy is the new rider for Shoot Out this Spring as he searches to claim his 100th Group 1 winner.
Jim Cassidy on Hawkspur winning the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Cassidy took his Group 1 tally to ninety-eight during the Brisbane Winter Carnival when he rode the Chris Waller trained Hawkspur to victory in the $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm and will take over the reins on Shoot Out from Hugh Bowman.
Bowman has been a permanent fixture on Shoot Out since he was transferred from Gold Coast trainer John Wallace to Waller’s stables at the beginning of 2012 and the pair combined for three Group 1 victories.
While under Waller’s care, Shoot Out won back to back Group 1 $350,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm as well as last Spring’s Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Cassidy has already gotten a feel of the seven year old at last week’s Warwick Farm barrier trials, finishing fourth to Rebel Dane over 795m.
Waller will give the multiple Group 1 winner another trial at Rosehill on Monday as he prepares him for his comeback run in the Group 2 $175,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on August 24.
A fit Cassidy will resume riding on Saturday at Rosehill after a short winter break and is keen to notch up his century of Group 1 winners in the coming Spring after having a stellar year last season with five Group 1 victories.
“I had as good a year last year as I have ever had really,” Cassidy told AAP.
“I’m feeling pretty good for a 50-year-old.
“I’ve got a few rides Saturday and it would be nice to bounce back with a winner.”
Cassidy has secured five rides on Saturday and will team up with Waller for his first three, including first starter Pinot Gris in the opening event, the $85,000 Australian Turf Club Handicap (1400m)) for the three year olds.
The veteran rider’s other mounts for Waller are Velrosso in the $85,000 TAB Iphone App Handicap (1200m) and Kristy Lee in the $85,000 Become An ATC Sponsor Handicap (1100m) for the fillies and mares.
Trainer John Thompson will leg Cassidy up onto Pretty Pins in the Listed $100,000 Winter Challenge (1500m) then he will complete the day on Next The Universe for Kris Lees in the $85,000 Rosehill Gardens Handicap (1400m).
