Jim Cassidy would be a lot closer to 100 Group One winners if he hadn't knocked back the ride on Kingston Rule in the 1990 Melbourne Cup.Bart Cummings says Cassidy made a bad decision then but is giving him the chance to put things in order on Roman Emperor in Saturday's AJC Australian Derby.It was widely reported Vision And Power's George Ryder Stakes win last Saturday was the 100th Group One for Cassidy who hadn't kept records and simply went along with the flow.Research has shown it was actua

Jim Cassidy would be a lot closer to 100 Group One winners if he hadn't knocked back the ride on Kingston Rule in the 1990 Melbourne Cup.

Bart Cummings says Cassidy made a bad decision then but is giving him the chance to put things in order on Roman Emperor in Saturday's AJC Australian Derby.

It was widely reported Vision And Power's George Ryder Stakes win last Saturday was the 100th Group One for Cassidy who hadn't kept records and simply went along with the flow.

Research has shown it was actually number 88 but if he'd listened to Cummings, perhaps he would already have the century.

"He made a bit of a bad decision when he wouldn't ride Kingston Rule in the Melbourne Cup," Cummings said.

"I've now forgiven him after all these years.

"It was a weird thing to do to get off Kingston Rule but it was a turning point for a young bloke called Darren Beadman and was the making of him."

Roman Emperor has to jump from the outside barrier in the Derby and tactics will be left up to Cassidy.

"If he thinks he's on Might And Power, he'll go forward," Cummings said.

"It will be interesting to see what decision he makes.

"What's that thing he says all the time - `ring-a-ding-ding, the Pumper is king'?

"We'll see if he is on Saturday."

Roman Emperor got a long way back from a wide alley when 14th in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) but was ridden more forward when fifth in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

Both races were won by Metal Bender who is aiming to emulate the triple crown feat of Octagonal in 1996.

Roman Emperor was an $18 chance with TAB Sportsbet on Wednesday with Sousa the $4.20 favourite ahead of Metal Bender at $5.

Rock Kingdom, who was placed in both the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas, was the best backed in the hours after the declaration of the final field, firming from $12 on Tuesday to $7.50.