Racing: Cassidy joins elite group

Larry Cassidy, riding Sunline in 2008. Photo / Supplied

Larry Cassidy joined former greats Mick Dittman and Brian York as the only winners of both the Sydney and Brisbane jockeys' premierships when he shared the season's riding honours with Stathi Katsidis.

Cassidy landed only one winner, the Brian Smith-trained Meet George in the Ownit Homes Handicap at Doomben, but it was enough to draw level on 72 wins with Katsidis.

Jim Byrne finished the season in third place on 69, with his solitary win yesterday aboard Blazing Hearts.

Dittman and York won their Brisbane premierships before heading south to continue their careers while Cassidy achieved it the opposite way. He claimed Sydney honours in 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

Katsidis could be considered unlucky not to win his third title because he decided to ride Shoot Out in his Group Three Bletchingly Stakes victory at Caulfield yesterday.

He headed to Melbourne believing Cassidy had to ride a double to claim the title.

However, the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) on Friday decided not to use a countback in the event of a tie for first place and adopted the same rules which apply in the Sydney and Melbourne premierships.

Cassidy was elated and relieved to have shared the premiership glory. He came to Brisbane halfway through the 2008-2009 season after rides were scarce in Sydney.

- AAP