A day after celebrating his 48th birthday, Jim Cassidy showed he was still as fiercely competitive as ever when lifting Barlagarney to victory in the opening race at Rosehill.And just forty minutes later the champion jockey was at it again as he partnered three-year-old Somepin Anypin to an impressive win in the Pages Event Equipment Handicap (1300m)."For 48 I didn't do a bad job - another one I lifted over the line," Cassidy said after Barlagarney's half-head win in The Good Guys Auburn Handica
A day after celebrating his 48th birthday, Jim Cassidy showed he was still as fiercely competitive as ever when lifting Barlagarney to victory in the opening race at Rosehill.
And just forty minutes later the champion jockey was at it again as he partnered three-year-old Somepin Anypin to an impressive win in the Pages Event Equipment Handicap (1300m).
"For 48 I didn't do a bad job - another one I lifted over the line," Cassidy said after Barlagarney's half-head win in The Good Guys Auburn Handicap (1900m).
The $17 outsider in the field of seven, the Graeme Rogerson-trained Barlagarney worked to the front from his outside barrier and Cassidy rated him to perfection as the gelding led the field into the straight.
With 300 metres to run the Peter Snowden-trained Fiscal ($4.40) moved up and hit the lead but Cassidy wasn't going to be denied and got everything out of his mount in the concluding stages as Barlagarney fought back to win.
Favourite Ironstein ($3.20) was another length away third.
Saturday's victory was Barlagarney's first success since October 2009 but Cassidy certainly wasn't shocked by the seven-year-old's return to the winners' circle.
"I galloped him on the course proper two weeks ago and I came in and said to (stable foreman) Roger (Elliott), 'He'll win his next start, can I ride him?'," he said.
"So I booked myself to ride him two weeks ago."
Cassidy had an easier time on Somepin Anypin who put his hand up as a potential autumn Classic contender with a dominant display as he streeted his rivals by 7-1/2 lengths.
The Gary Portelli-trained gelding clocked 1:15.59 for the 1300m, just half a second outside the track record set by Alquoz in 1990.
Portelli said Saturday's race was "D-Day" for Somepin Anypin and the Warwick Farm-trainer can now plan ahead towards the autumn.
"That's a relief," Portelli said.
"He reproduced what we see when he works in the morning.
"I believe he is a Group horse and we can move forward now."
Somepin Anypin ($3.60) defeated the in-form Unanimously ($5) with Rock My Heart ($31) half a length away third.
Races such as the Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) will now be considered for Somepin Anypin.
Cassidy believes the lightly-raced galloper has the potential to make the grade.
"He's got the engine for it," Cassidy said.
"He's got a lot to learn, it's only his fifth start and he can only improve."