Big-race jockey Jim Cassidy was ordered to keep his voice down by chief steward Ray Murrihy in a fiery aftermath to the opening race at Rosehill Saturday.Cassidy pleaded with stewards to have his mount, the $2 favourite News Alert, declared a non-runner after he missed the start by five lengths and failed to beat a runner home in the Spring Is Schweppes Hcp (1200m) won by the Paul Perry-trained Opter ($21).But Murrihy told Cassidy that it would take a gate not opening or the horse having his hea

Big-race jockey Jim Cassidy was ordered to keep his voice down by chief steward Ray Murrihy in a fiery aftermath to the opening race at Rosehill Saturday.

Cassidy pleaded with stewards to have his mount, the $2 favourite News Alert, declared a non-runner after he missed the start by five lengths and failed to beat a runner home in the Spring Is Schweppes Hcp (1200m) won by the Paul Perry-trained Opter ($21).

But Murrihy told Cassidy that it would take a gate not opening or the horse having his head in the wrong stall to be declared a non-runner.

"Just because your horse is fractious we are not going to declare him a non-runner," Murrihy said.

"Your horse reared simultaneously with the gates opening and whose fault is that?"

Cassidy fired back at Murrihy.

"You've made your decision and I think it's totally unfair," Cassidy said.

"Keep your voice down Jim or we'll see you later in the day," Murrihy replied.

Cassidy said he was trying to look after the punters but Murrihy made it clear the matter was over.

"I'm not going to sit here all day and argue, we have made our decision," Murrihy said.

Cassidy said he had no problem with the starter Peter Svendsen and even commended him for delaying the start after his mount first reared.

"I sang out the first time he played up and told him to keep an eye on me and he did, so I've got no issues with the starter," Cassidy said.

"But when they jumped my horse was mid-air and had no chance, he should have been a non-runner.

"I called again but the gates had opened ... I'm just trying to do the right thing by the connections and the punters, he never had a chance."

And while News Alert battled near the back of the field, Opter opened up a huge lead at the 600 metres and pinched a big enough break to hold off the fast-finishing Dealers ($3.30) by a long neck with Walking Or Dancing ($7) the same margin away third.