Canterbury Classic 2014: Jimmy Cassidy pivotal in Barbed snaring Canterbury feature

TAB BIG BETS: Jimmy Cassidy put a controversial 24 hours behind him to produce a masterful ride on Godolphin sprinter Barbed to snare the Canterbury Classic.

Royal Randwick - George Main Stakes day

THIS was classic Cassidy.

“The Pumper” put a controversial 24 hours behind him to produce a masterful ride on Godolphin sprinter Barbed to snare Saturday’s feature race at Canterbury Park.

Cassidy was outed for a month at Randwick on Boxing Day for improper riding but bounced back in a style only he knows how on a horse that had to date promised more than he’d delivered.

He allowed Jason Collett, on favourite Ball Of Muscle, to cross to the fence but not before making him work for it, then when it looked as though Barbed was going to be unlucky at the 200m, he weaved his magic to ease clear and ­arrive right on time.

Cassidy said he was confident Barbed was travelling like a winner and just had to wait — but admitted he cut it close.

Jimmy Cassidy pumps his fist as only he knows how after winning the Canterbury Classic. Picture: Simon Bullard

“I tracked up beautifully coming to the corner, I had a lapful of horse, but I had to be patient because I didn’t want to get into a fight too early to get out,’’ Cassidy said.

“Once others started to drop off I edged out and he got up in the last few strides.’’

Barbed ($10) only had a head to spare over Ball Of Muscle ($2.90), with Dothraki ($3.60) a fast closing neck away in third in the Listed Canterbury Classic (1200m).

Coaxing Barbed back to his best form is just another example of the growing power of John O’Shea’s Godolphin team, and an illustration they aren’t just all about youngsters.

Godolphin’s Australian managing director Henry Plumptre said O’Shea deserved plenty of credit for the success the stable was enjoying. And he warned the best was yet to come.

“It was always going to take time for John to adjust, like moving into a big school with 500 kids and learning every name,’’ Plumptre said.

Barbed (blue silks) only had a head to spare over Ball Of Muscle (rails), with Dothraki a fast-closing neck away in third.

“You don’t do it in three or four months, you do it in six months to a year. Anyone who expected him to walk off the street and keep training those winners was being unrealistic.”

It’s unlikely that Barbed will be asked to tackle the top company but he’ll continue on to the fourth leg of the ATC’s Summer Sprint Series, the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford next month.

Plumptre said when O’Shea returned from Quebec on Sunday he’d be rapt Barbed had come back a winner.

Collett said Cassidy hadn’t made it easy for him early and that probably told in the concluding stages.

“I wanted to make sure I got across there and tried to ease,’’ Collett said. “They made me work a bit and he wobbled a bit on the turn, but I felt I had enough there in the tank.’’

Barbed lunges late to run down favourite Ball Of Muscle. Picture: Simon Bullard

RACE ONE

Perignon was well supported and after getting out to $4.60, was backed into $3.90 and landed the money. Otter was $5 into $4.40.

BIG BET: $5000 @ $4.40 on Perignon

RACE TWO

Music Magnate was a significant mover in the market ($3.60 to $2.60). I Am Zelady proved to be the most popular runner, dollar-wise, while Inz N Out was $3 into $2.80 back out to $3.

BIG BET: $4000 @ $3.40

RACE THREE

A relatively quiet betting race but snippets Land commanded the most money. Mr Jackman was $6 into $5 but never appeared likely, while Coolring had specking from $3.80 to $3.50.

RACE FOUR

It was a betting affair in two between Peace Force and Proper Madam. Peace Force $2.90 to $2.50 while there was a strong push earlier in the day for Proper Madam ($4.40 into $3.60).

RACE FIVE

Rose Of Choice ($9 to $4.60) was heavily backed but couldn’t finish off strongly after sitting midfield. Amovatio did have backing from $4.80 to $3.90.

BIG BET: $3000 @ $1.76 (place) and $3000 @ $1.68 (place) on Rose Of Choice

RACE SIX

Ball Of Muscle had the most attention placed on it. We opened it at $3.80 and it was crunched into as low as $2.50, however, got back out to $2.80 at the finish. Dothraki was the only other one they wanted and was $4 to $3.50. Barbed was $11 out to $13 and then into $10 late.

BIG BET: $9500 @ $1.30 (place) on Ball Of Muscle and $3000 @ $3.80 on Dothraki

RACE SEVEN

Wow! Religify sent us to the cleaners in this. Held around 73% of the total hold on the race. Was $1.60 to $1.30 after opening at better than even money.

BIG BET: $5000 @ $1.45, $5000 @ $1.40 on Religify

RACE EIGHT

Very open betting affair here with a number of horses supported, not the least Made To Order ($8.50 to $4.80).

Drago was again well backed but could only manage third ($7 to $5.50) while Magical Stance did have good backing but was a slight drifter in the betting ($4.60 to $4.80).