Jim Cassidy came crashing back to earth with a five-week suspension for whip offences after dominating the day at Rosehill with four winners on Saturday.The champion jockey brought up his fourth win on the John O'Shea-trained Lightinthenite to move to the top of the Sydney premiership but was later hit with a two-week suspension for his overuse of the whip in winning the event.Cassidy used the whip on 12 occasions before the 100m mark on Lightinthenite which was seven more than permitted, includ
Jim Cassidy came crashing back to earth with a five-week suspension for whip offences after dominating the day at Rosehill with four winners on Saturday.
The champion jockey brought up his fourth win on the John O'Shea-trained Lightinthenite to move to the top of the Sydney premiership but was later hit with a two-week suspension for his overuse of the whip in winning the event.
Cassidy used the whip on 12 occasions before the 100m mark on Lightinthenite which was seven more than permitted, including seven times in consecutive strides.
It only got worse from there with the jockey also outed for another three weeks for striking fourth-placed Zara Dancer on 17 occasions prior to the 100-metre mark in the final race of the day which was 12 more than permitted, including 11 times in consecutive strides.
"I'm disappointed in myself. I had a blackout," Cassidy told stewards before pleading guilty to four whip offences.
The 48-year-old's suspension is set to start immediately and he can return to the saddle on December 18, the day after the Villiers Stakes meeting at Warwick Farm.
It was Cassidy's fifth offence since March for using the whip more than five times before the 100m mark and his sixth and seventh offences for using the whip in consecutive strides.
Chief steward Ray Murrihy said it was "quite a blatant disregard of the whip rule".
"We can't have a situation where someone decides they don't apply," Murrihy said.
"I'm at a loss to understand the most senior rider here showing a blatant disregard for the rule."
Earlier, Cassidy said he was proud of himself for being able to ride through the pain barrier after struggling with rib cartilage damage that forced him to stand down after one race last Saturday.
Cassidy opened his day with victory on the John O'Shea-trained Golden Slipper prospect Faustus in the Nova 969 Fitzy & Wippa Handicap (1100m).
Colorado Claire gave Cassidy and O'Shea an early double when she maintained her unbeaten record with a third straight win in the Bacardi Handicap (1400m).
Cassidy made it three on the Darren Smith-trained Oakfield Beauty before combining again with O'Shea on Lightinthenite in the Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato Handicap (1500m).
"I'm proud of myself and proud of Vic (wife Vicki) because she has babysitted me all week and helped with icing the injury every night to make sure we were here today."