Pumper confident despite lack of interest in Amorino

3 minute read

Magic Millions punters have turned their backs on unbeaten Gerald Ryan colt Amorino this week, but champion jockey Jim Cassidy isn't concerned by the lack of interest.

The big money ahead of Saturday's $2m 2YO Classic has been split between Gai Waterhouse flyer

Driefontein and well-bred Kelso Wood runner Sizzling, after the pair quinellad the BJ

McLachlan Stakes on New Year's Eve.

On the same day, Cassidy steered Amorino to a scorching win at Rosehill backing up his easy

debut salute at Randwick in October.

The Rosehill win initially excited punters and Amorino was briefly rated a $5 chance to win Saturday's

Gold Coast feature, but he's been on the drift over the past week and is now out to $7 with some

bookmakers.

Meanwhile Driefontein ($3), and Sizzling ($3.70) have continued to attract interest.

“That doesn't worry me,” said Cassidy who's chasing a third Magic Millions Classic win on Saturday.

“Luck in running plays a big part, temperature on the day, it's a big race. If you're in it you can win it if

you're not you can't win it.

“I've seen favourites get beat before time and time again. There's three, four, five chances and any one of

them can win.”

Cassidy won his first Magic Millions 2YO crown aboard Dancer's Joy in 1990, and doubled his

tally on Catnipped in 1998.

Fourteen years on, the man who turns 49 later this month was quietly confident he had the right horse

to triumph again.

Tuesday morning's crucial barrier draw was reasonable to Cassidy and Amorino, who'll jump from the

eighth alley, although Driefontein (3) and Sizzling (6) fared better.

Amorino and Sizzling are both hoping to outdo their father Snitzel, who ran third in the race in

2005.

That was the closest Ryan has come to winning the Magic Millions.

“He's happy with him,” Cassidy said of the Sydney trainer.

“He's going good and it's always nice to draw a good barrier.

“I'll just ride him where he's happy, he doesn't have to lead. 1200 I think will suit him, the further he goes

the better he'll go I believe.

“He's entitled to be there, he's done nothing wrong and two out of two, you can't knock it.

“I was very impressed with him [at Rosehill]. He's improved and I see improvement coming out of that

one going into Saturday."