Jockey Larry Cassidy will make a deliberate low-key return to the saddle at Eagle Farm on Wednesday ahead of his year-long quest to claim the new season's riding honours in Brisbane for the first time.Cassidy returned to riding trackwork last week following a severe bout of pneumonia which interrupted a skiing holiday and hospitalised him for four days.The illness ended any plans the former Sydney jockey had of making a late challenge for Brisbane's riding honours this season but he now has his
Jockey Larry Cassidy will make a deliberate low-key return to the saddle at Eagle Farm on Wednesday ahead of his year-long quest to claim the new season's riding honours in Brisbane for the first time.
Cassidy returned to riding trackwork last week following a severe bout of pneumonia which interrupted a skiing holiday and hospitalised him for four days.
The illness ended any plans the former Sydney jockey had of making a late challenge for Brisbane's riding honours this season but he now has his sights firmly set on winning the new season's title which starts at Doomben on Saturday.
"I'm not 100 per cent fit yet but I'm feeling fine and I'm looking forward to riding again tomorrow," Cassidy said.
Cassidy will have no weight problems when he resumes his career and will comfortably ride at 54 kilograms at Eagle Farm.
"My weight is not a worry. I've got three rides at Eagle Farm and I'll ride 54 kilos," he said.
"I've already taken four rides on Saturday and I'll easily make 53 kilos by then.
"I could have taken a couple of more rides at Eagle Farm but I didn't want to jump back into things too soon.
"I'm a lot fitter and stronger than I was when I started back riding trackwork last week."
Cassidy has ensured he'll be close to his peak with regular circuit training in the gymnasium.
"I do a lot of walking, skipping and boxing and I also do some sprint work on the running machine," he said.
"I saw my specialist yesterday and he's given me the all clear to return to race riding."
Cassidy only began riding in Queensland full-time in January after quitting Sydney due to a lack of opportunities.
He will go into the season's last meeting in fifth place in the premiership with 36 wins, 13 in arrears of Shane Scriven who has his first senior title sewn up.
Cassidy hasn't ridden at a race meeting since Caloundra Cup day on June 27.
His first ride back will be aboard the Trevor Bailey-trained Lord Linlithgow in the Mitty's Two-Year-old Handicap (1500m).
His two remaining rides will be Swords in the Greenslopes Private Hospital Handicap (1400m) and Falling Star in the Brisbane Racing Club Handicap (1200m).
Falling Star will be the last runner this season for trainer Rob Heathcote who won the Brisbane trainers' premiership for the first time.