Leading jockey Jim Cassidy could be back in the saddle sooner than expected.
Cassidy was stood down from Saturday’s Randwick meeting after riding the first race winner Merchandise.
In obvious discomfort as he urged Merchandise to the line, Cassidy was taken to hospital where tests revealed the two-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey had some torn cartilage in his chest.
His injury cost him two more winning rides.
Cassidy will miss Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting but he has accepted four early mounts for Canterbury on Friday night and has five bookings for Rosehill the next day.
But his manager Matthew Privato said there was a chance Cassidy could ride at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
“Jim has been booked for just the one ride – Dream Choice – if it runs at Hawkesbury,” Privato said.
John O’Shea will rely heavily on Cassidy on Saturday.
The Randwick trainer has booked Cassidy for four rides, including first starter Faustus in a two-year-old race.
By More Than Ready, Faustus is a grandson of the 1998 Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel.
From the Magic Millions draft of John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud, the colt cost $290,000 at this year’s Gold Coast sales.
Faustus will make his debut on the back of a Warwick Farm barrier trial placing.
Lightinthenite, Colorado Claire and Bound To Blush are other Cassidy rides for O’Shea.
Bound To Blush is also nominated for Canterbury.
Cassidy is also booked to ride Chris Waller’s last-start Rosehill winner Savannah’s Choice for the first time.
AAP TURF
