A fit and healthy Jim Cassidy is hoping to pick up where he left off when he returns to the saddle at Canterbury on Saturday.
Cassidy was hit with a five-week suspension for whip offences shortly after taking riding honours at Rosehill on November 12 with a four-winner haul.
That effort shot him to the lead in the Sydney jockeys’ premiership but he now finds himself nine wins astern of pacesetter Hugh Bowman.
Cassidy admitted it was tough to be sidelined just as he was building momentum.
“That was the frustrating part. You’re up and running and brought to an abrupt halt,” Cassidy said.
“Anyhow, I’ll fight back. Get back and hitch a ride and get going again.
“Hopefully I can put my eye in and grab one on Saturday.”
Despite Cassidy’s frustration, the enforced break did give him some much needed rest time to heal some rib cartilage damage which had been troubling him prior to the suspension.
The top jockey says the injury has mended and he can’t wait to return to action on Christmas Eve.
His first ride back will be aboard the Tim Martin-trained Cindarockinrella in the Schweppes Handicap (1250m).
A daughter of gun sire Fastnet Rock, Cindarockinrella was stakes placed in the Listed The Phoenix at Doomben in May.
Cassidy has not ridden her in a race before but he has been on her in work.
“I had a ride on her the other morning at the track and she’s going nice,” Cassidy said.
“She looks a genuine chance.”
Cassidy will partner Icy Mist for leading trainer Chris Waller in the De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1900m) and has a good partnership with the four-year-old.
He has ridden her three times for a win and a placing, although she will be stepping up to Saturday grade for the first time.
Icy Mist is coming off a last-start third to Mosso Arioso, who will again be among her rivals.
“Her last run had merit,” Cassidy said.
“It doesn’t look over-strong on Saturday and Chris has been flying to it’s good to get on one for him.”
Cassidy’s remaining mounts are both for Graeme Rogerson.
He will jump aboard Barlagarney in the Summer Super Saver Handicap (1900m) and Rockin’ Rocket in the Canterbury BMW Handicap (1550m).
Rockin’ Rocket is a track specialist.
From eight starts at Canterbury he has notched four wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth.
Barlagarney will be having his third run back from a spell and Cassidy says the veteran needs a dry track to show his best.
AAP TURF
