Jim Cassidy aka ‘The Pumper’ – nice double
51 year old Australian Hall Of Fame jockey Jim Cassidy who we reported on Friday had been retained by the Ricky Maingard stable for the next two weekends in Mauritius, rode a great double in his first meeting yesterday.
The New Zealand born Cassidy, known as ‘The Pumper’, brought impressive credentials to the table over 36 years of riding and recently chalked up his 102nd Gr1 winner.
The colourful character is a member of the elite Grand Slam club, having ridden the winners of two Melbourne Cups, two Caulfield Cups, a Cox Plate and Golden Slipper,
He struck early when he won the second race, a Plate event over 1400m, on the former Gavin Almanza owned Mogok filly Elite Class, who previously raced in the Cape for Vaughan Marshall.
Bandido Caballero beats Ravatak and Right To Tango
Cassidy then rode a powerful finish on the Fred Crabbia owned Bandido Caballero, who was slow away but finished powerfully to win the final race over a mile.
The objection hooter sounded after the race but Cassidy was obviously relieved to know that it was on behalf of the third placed horse Right To Tango, against the second placed Ravatak. It was in any event overruled.
Formerly trained out of Milnerton by Dean Kannemeyer, Bandido Cabalero is a Brazillian bred son of Elusive Quality and was registering his second win in Mauritius after three consecutive second placed efforts.
