Jim Cassidy made a successful return to the saddle at Warwick Farm on Saturday when he partnered the regally related Tagus to victory in the Group Three Tramway Handicap (1400m).
The 49-year-old was back to his best aboard Tagus as the pair led home a Magic Millions trifecta result with the three runners representing the Gold Coast sales company.
Tagus’ trainer John Thompson was glowing of Cassidy after the race with the veteran hoop predicting a bold run from the Encosta de Lago eight-year-old.
“He is a freak,” Thompson said of Cassidy. “He came and had a feel of him on Tuesday and said he would give this a shake.”
“He has always had the ability and is the sort of horse that wins a race every preparation.”
Tagus, purchased for $250,000 from the 2006 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, has now earned connections over $544,000.
One of 91 stakes winners by champion Fairy King sire Encosta de Lago, he hails from one of the best families in the Australian Stud Book.
He is one of seven winners for the 100 per cent winner producer Lady Capel – a stakes performed daughter of influential broodmare sire Last Tycoon.
Lady Capel, second in the listed Moomba Plate at Flemington was a four time winner on the track, but it’s her efforts in the breeding barn at Baramul Stud that have turned her into a household name in the thoroughbred world.
Her seven winners from seven runners include four stakes winners – Casino Prine, Lord of the Land and Metallurgical as well as Tagus.
Casino Prince was last season’s champion first season sire of Australia for Patinack Farm – the majority owner of Tagus.
It’s a family Patinack Farm have had great success with. They also race Metallurgical as well as Onemorenomore, the Group One winner from Palia – a full sister to Lady Capel.
Winner: Tagus
Breeding: Encosta de Lago-Lady Capel (Last Tycoon)
Race: NSW Tatt’s RC Tramway Handicap G3 (1400m)
Sold for: $250,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Anthony Cummings
Earnings: $544,080
Owner(s): Patinack Farm Racing Syndicate (Mgr: N Tinkler) & G Harvey
Trainer: John Thompson (Randwick)
