A feature race win in Monday’s Summer Cup would be a timely boost for jockey Jim Cassidy as he looks to get his momentum rolling.
Cassidy only returned from a five-week suspension for whip offences on Christmas Eve and he is keen to make an immediate impact.
His best results from three rides at Canterbury on Saturday were third placings aboard the Graeme Rogerson-trained pair of Barlagarney and Rockin’ Rocket
He is hoping to get his name back in lights aboard the Tim Martin-trained Scouting Wide in the Group Three Summer Cup (2400m), the main race on the Boxing Day program at Rosehill.
“It would be nice to jag a reasonably big one in the first meeting or two back,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy has a terrific record in the Summer Cup having won it four times, most recently aboard Solid Billing two years ago.
On Monday he will reunite with Scouting Wide for the first time in almost four years.
He partnered the seven-year-old at his first two starts but hasn’t been aboard under race conditions since.
A two-time stakes winner of the Christmas Cup in 2009 and WJ Mckell Cup last year, Scouting Wide has been progressing nicely towards his major summer goal.
Two starts ago he rattled home late for sixth to the promising Revolt over 2000m then tuned-up for the Rosehill race with a second to Permit at Warwick Farm on Villiers Stakes day.
He has lumped big weights in all four runs this campaign and his five kilo weight drop from the 61.5kg he carted at Warwick Farm is significant.
Scouting Wide led all the way in both his stakes victories and from barrier 10 should again take up a forward position in the Summer Cup.
“He’s a free-goer. He likes to bowl along,” Cassidy said.
“I’ve always had time for the horse and it’s nice to be back on him.
“He’s consistent and I’m sure he’s going to be in the mix.”
Cassidy will be spending Christmas day with his family but with a couple of light rides on Boxing Day, there will be no big Christmas lunch.
“It will be very quiet. I’ve got a couple of 53-ers on Monday,” he said.
Meanwhile, Victorian raider Full Peal will be aiming for his sixth straight victory when he makes his Sydney debut in the Summer Cup.
Co-trainer Symon Wilde said he hoped the emerging stayer could win to tick a few boxes with a view to the 2012 Melbourne spring carnival.
“It’s the next rung in the ladder on Saturday,” Wilde said.
“If he happens to win it will qualify him for a few races in the spring and open a few doors.”
AAP TURF
