Rob Heathcote and Larry Cassidy get back to their winning ways

A CHANCE meeting in the carpark after trackwork last month was the catalyst for Rob Heathcote and Larry Cassidy to end their long-running rift and land a winner on Saturday.

Larry Cassidy was all smiles as Bidii Babe charged to victory on Saturday. Picture: Natasha Wood

A CHANCE meeting in the carpark after trackwork last month was the catalyst for former premiership winners Rob Heathcote and Larry Cassidy to end their long-running rift and land Bidii Babe a winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

“The old firm is back together,” Heathcote trumpeted after Cassidy turned in a 10 out of 10 ride on the talented mare.

Cassidy’s previous winner for Heathcote was Marked in March 2012 and the pair had barely spoken since, until they happened to park beside each other one morning.

“We crossed paths in the carpark, we both said ‘hello’ and then Larry asked if there was any chance he could get back riding for the stable,” Heathcote said.

“I just said ‘why not’ and ‘it’s good to see you back’. Larry’s riding style suits my training style.

“It was just unfortunate back then. Larry put in a couple of rides I wasn’t happy with and it fell apart. I’ve matured a lot since then and it’s good to have him back.”

Heathcote had been confident Bidii Babe would race well first up and believes she is a filly that will make her way through to stakes grade.

Cassidy deflected praise for his ride.

“She’s a little darling,” he said. “I wouldn’t be congratulating me. She’s the one who did it all.

“It makes it easy when they are like her, and when they are well trained.

“Since I’ve started my comeback, I haven’t ridden anything that has worked as well as she has.’’

Heathcote said Bidii Babe was raced by his biggest clients Ange and Neil Duncan.

“They have come a long way to be here and it’s great this little filly has got the job done for them,” he said.

Heathcote tipped earlier winner Privlaka to blossom over more ground, despite becoming the first horse to lower the Eagle Farm 1000m track record beneath 58 seconds yesterday.

Privlaka clocked 57.95sec to win by three-quarters of a length in a preformance rated by Jim Byrne as “better than it looked’’.

“He just had a bit of pressure from another runner at the 700m which meant I had to squeeze him to hold his position and he just wanted to over-race from that point,” Byrne said. “Some horses you just take a liking to and this is one of them. I think he’s a nice horse going forward.’’

Heathcote thinks Privlaka, who like Buffering is a son of Mossman, can eventually run 1600m.

Munce wants to Legg it to the Coast

TRAINER Chris Munce has Magic Millions ambitions for tough winner Nicconi Leggera, who made it two from two this preparation at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

“I just need to find the right race on Magic Millions day and there’s also some nice fillies and mares races over the carnival that will suit,” Munce said.

Nicconi Leggera was clearly headed by Double Superlative but fought hard under apprentice Josh Oliver to just last from the fast-finishing Bithard in the 3YO Handicap over 1000m.

“She’s a tough little filly and has a big heart,” Oliver said.

Beaudesert trainer Kelvin Hickmott said he had no doubt Last Sight would handle yesterday’s step up to 1840m after he held on to win the Benchmark 75.

“His mum (Arborea) was a Group 1 winner over 2500m and I think he will comfortably get out over 2000m and beyond now,” Hickmott said.

Trainer Tony Gollan expected the photo finish to go the other way when Mr Jetset hit the line with Starocity in the final event, the Class 6 over 1400m.

“With the run of luck we’ve been having lately I thought I’d run second,” Gollan said. “I had been really keen to get this horse to 1400m. His two runs this preparation had been good and he’s run right up to that.”

Originally published as Rob Heathcote and Larry Cassidy get back to their winning ways