Larry Cassidy will make his comeback from injury with four rides at Doomben on Saturday, headed by interstate visitor Cheap Thrills in the feature race.
Cheap Thrills and Sydney mare Slow The Flow were among 15 acceptors for the Listed Channel Seven Nudgee Fillies and Mares Handicap (1200m) after the original meeting scheduled for Eagle Farm was transferred to Doomben due to the deluge of rain in Brisbane.
Cassidy has not ridden since late November when he sustained four broken ribs and two hairline fractures to his right leg in a fall.
He had hoped to return on Magic Millions day on January 14 but needed extra time for his injuries to heal and to get his weight in check.
Cassidy then planned to make his comeback at Doomben on Australia Day but the meeting was abandoned due to torrential rain.
“I’ve managed to get my weight down to the minimum 54 kilos but I want to get it down further,” Cassidy said.
“I had hoped to be back for the Magic Millions but I was never a chance.
“I had four broken ribs and two hairline fractures in my right leg but it was in a place near the knee where I didn’t require a cast.
“I just had to keep my weight off the leg.”
Cassidy is hoping to make an immediate impact on his return when he partners Cheap Thrills for Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
Cheap Thrills hasn’t raced since finishing fifth to Rosie’s Reward over 1200m at Rosehill on December 3.
The six-year-old has a useful record on heavy ground with two wins and four placings from eights starts.
The Doomben track was rated a heavy (10) on Wednesday.
“I’m taking the punt the races will be on up there and she’s leaving by float for Brisbane on Wednesday night,” Lees said.
“She’s got good wet track form and she runs her best races fresh.
“She’s going as good as she can and it’s an opportunity to win some black type.
“She’s out of a handy family and will make a valuable broodmare when she retires.”
The jockey had some more good news on Wednesday when stewards lost an appeal to have a three-month ban for a handling charge against Cassidy reinstated.
Cassidy was suspended for three months following his ride on beaten favourite Trump at Doomben on September 17 but that decision was overturned by the first level appeals body.
Stewards took the case to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal which supported the appeal panel.
AAP TURF
