THE spat between Sydney jockey Jim Cassidy and Melbourne trainer Tony Vasil continued yesterday, with Vasil fined $500 for improper conduct towards the jockey, reports The Age newspaper.It says: Vasil was furious with Cassidy's ride on Psychologist in the Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill on March 27 and approached the jockey when he was leaving the course.Cassidy and Vasil fronted stewards in Sydney yesterday at the resumption of the inquiry into Cassidy's ride on the filly, which sped to a huge l

THE spat between Sydney jockey Jim Cassidy and Melbourne trainer Tony Vasil continued yesterday, with Vasil fined $500 for improper conduct towards the jockey, reports The Age newspaper.

It says: Vasil was furious with Cassidy's ride on Psychologist in the Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill on March 27 and approached the jockey when he was leaving the course.

Cassidy and Vasil fronted stewards in Sydney yesterday at the resumption of the inquiry into Cassidy's ride on the filly, which sped to a huge lead in the 1200 metre race before weakening to finish a distant 10th. Vasil was livid with Cassidy's handling of Psychologist, and said he rode her contrary to instructions.

It took little time at yesterday's hearing for personalities to bubble over. Stewards tabled the sectional times of the Magic Night, which showed that Psychologist ran the first 600 metres in 34.75 seconds, three-quarters of a second quicker than any other 1200 metre race on the day.

On two occasions during yesterday's hearing, Vasil accused Cassidy of being a ''liar'', with chief steward Ray Murrihy asking both parties not to let the hearing become personal. Murrihy asked Vasil what work he'd done with Psychologist in the week leading up to the race.

Vasil said the filly had had light week, apart from a gallop on Thursday in which she wore blinkers.

''She worked perfectly, except on pulling up she got a little fright when two [horses] galloped past her,'' the trainer said. ''But I read in the media that Cassidy claimed I claim she was doing cartwheels when coming off the track. She came off like Tinkerbell. He's blatantly lying.''

Cassidy told stewards the only mistake he made was having too long a grip on the reins soon after the start.

''She was going very hard ... but not even talking to her could stop her bolting like she did,'' he said.

Vasil interjected and said: ''Sir, how do we know he wasn't roaring at her.''

Before Murrihy could reply, Cassidy said: ''Don't be a dickhead Tony, you've been telling the media how great a trainer and jockey you are, so what about using some common sense.''

After further evidence, Murrihy found Cassidy had not erred in his riding on Psychologist. He said Psychologist had over-raced.