Today in Melbourne, Jimmy Cassidy, one of great jockeys of the modern era said goodbye to his life in the saddle. At aged 52, the New Zealand legend, the winner of 104 Group One races, showed what top flight race riding was all about. He didn't have a winner this afternoon, but his tactical brilliance was highlighted for all to see in his final race ride, in the last race of the day. With the track rain sodden, he alone spotted the best part of the course in the straight. As they swept for home, the Pumper took his mount to the extreme outside rail, a point he thought the least affected. He blasted the horse so wide, it disappeared from camera view. With the exception of one rider, all others stayed closer to the inside fence. That rider, James McDonald was aboard the favourite Zebrinz. James was on Cassidy's off quarter and ready to peel to the centre of the track, but was carried to the grandstand rail as the Pumper sought out firmer ground. McDonald didn't want to be there, but he didn't have Jimmy's 35 years of experience behind him. End story, those on the inside bogged down, and McDonald's mount came with a wet sail to just snatch the win on the line. The huge grin on his face was amazing. The two came together on the return to the scales, with both riders having a right old laugh over the matter. Jim was lucky to have had the opportunity to throw his leg over some fine horseflesh, but there were none who dominated with the authority of the aptly named Might And Power. In his fourth year, the mighty horse took the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, leading all the way in both. He won eight Group One races that year, on his way to earning the rating of the World's best Stayer of 1997. The following year he won the Cox Plate, again leading and taking two and a half seconds off the course record. Cassidy was a master of timing. The clip below gives glimpse of what the Pumper was all about. Rival jockeys referred to him as a freak after this race. Before the G1 Classic, Cassidy told the trainer of Step In Time that if he could get an easy mid race he'd make a run for home with 650m to run. The thought he'd get to the post with a 33.5 sectional, making it almost impossible to pick him up. I'll miss this man. For more threads on the International Scene
Fine jockey, Cyc, you gave a very good example of his skill. Feel sure I saw him ride once or twice in Singapore (90's?).
