Larry Cassidy back in winner’s circle at Doomben

Trainer Brian Smith has been a major player on and off the track for Group One jockey Larry Cassidy who rode his first winner in 16 months at Doomben on Saturday.

Cassidy, 46, the winner of 43 Group One races, had not ridden a winner since steering champion mare Winx to victory in the Sunshine Coast Guineas last year.

He has been dogged by crippling knee injuries and only returned to riding last month after more than a year on the sidelines.

Cassidy was all smiles despite a sudden downpour when he steered the Smith-trained Sony Legend ($5) to victory in the PFD Foods Hcp (1200m).

“I have only had 13 rides back and it is just great to be winning and especially for `BJ’ (Smith). He has been a great help to me,” Cassidy said.

“I have been trying to get fit by walking 60-70km a week.

“My weight is coming right down and I should be able to ride 54kg soon.”

Cassidy revealed his doctor had told him to take another year off riding but he felt to do that would be the end of his career which saw him winning premierships in Sydney and Brisbane.

“I am still a work in progress but I didn’t want to go out that way.”

Cassidy was full of praise for Smith.

“BJ is right up there with the best trainers I have ever ridden for and I have ridden for more than a few top ones,” he said.

Smith has a big opinion of six-year-old Sony Legend who has won both his starts since a spell.

“I haven’t knocked him about in his career. It was a very strong field today and I thought he might have been out of his class but he is a top horse ridden by a top jockey,” Smith said.

Meanwhile, trainer Stephen Lee is desperate to find a genuine staying race for his horse Anton En Avant ($5.50) who made it three wins in a row in the Open (2200m).

“I wanted to run him in the Queensland Cup at 3200m in July but he wasn’t ready. I think he is a genuine stayer who would be competitive at anything up to 3200m,” he said.

Lee said a race such as the Sandown Cup over 3200m would probably be too strong but something a little easier over a long distance would suit.

“I think he is best at Eagle Farm but we brought him over to Doomben to get weight off his back in an open handicap,” Lee added.