Cassidy remembers it like it was yesterday, and why wouldn’t he? The experienced hoop won six races on the famous mare, which included two Group 1’s, the 1999 Flight Stakes and the Doncaster. The Kiwi mare edged out Tie The Knot in the Warwick Stakes.
Later that year Cassidy was replaced by Greg Childs. In October Sunline and Childs went on to win the first of consecutive Cox Plates and the mare ended her career with 32 wins, which included 13 at elite level.
On Saturday Cassidy will watch another champion mare, Winx, tackle the Warwick Stakes. Unfortunately, Cassidy won’t be aboard Winx for Saturday’s Randwick Group 2, but he has won on her.
Hugh Bowman has been the five-year-old’s regular rider. However, Cassidy stood in for Bowman in last year’s Sunshine Coast Guineas.
Winx has gone on to win bigger races, but her last to first win in the Listed race has to be seen to be believed.
She takes an unbeaten nine-run record into the Warwick Stakes and along the way claimed six Group 1 wins, including an Epsom, Doncaster and coveted Cox Plate.
Bowman declares Winx as the best horse he has ridden, but Bowman didn’t ride 13 time Group 1 winner Sunline.
In racing, and sport in general for that matter, there are always comparisons.
Cassidy dislikes them, but was prepared to share his thoughts on the two great mares.
‘It’s not fair to compare horses from different eras. For me, Sunline was a champion of her time and Winx is a present day champion.
‘Sunline was very tall, thick and strong, she was built like a stallion. Winx has obviously changed since I rode her, but she was much leaner. The main thing they both had was a big motor and a strong will to win.
‘What I can say about Winx, is that in 30 years of riding I haven’t ridden a horse that can accelerate like she can. I’ve ridden some very good horses over the years, but what she does is phenomenal,’ Cassidy said.
Cassidy, like 85 percent of punters wagering on Saturday’s Randwick feature, is confident Winx will start her spring campaign with a win. He also believes she can do a ‘Sunline’ and become only the second mare to win consecutive Cox Plates.
‘There’s a lot of talk about Lucia Valentina being a threat to Winx on Saturday, but for mine there is no danger to Winx. She’s a champ’ and if she’s still unbeaten, as I expect she will be when the Cox Plate comes around, then the $2.75 on offer now is looking very generous.’
Warwick Stakes betting market and odds
– Written by @GarryLegg for Sportsbet.com.au
