Kiwi riders show class at Rosehill

THE CONSISTENT Coup Ay Tee upstaged his much-hyped stablemate Bayrir to win the Winter Challenge at Rosehill, with trainer Chris Waller rapt with both performances.

A Group I winner in America, Bayrir was sent out the $ 3.10 favourite for his Australian debut yesterday, and looked as if he might reward punters until Kiwi hoop Jason Collett steered Coup Ay Tee through a gap to snatch the race by half-a-length.

The 1500 metres was the shortest distance Bayrir had ever run over, but one well within the comfort zone of Coup Ay Tee, the winner of seven races from 1200 to 1600m. ‘‘ There wasn’t much room,’’ Collett said.

‘‘I had a lot of horse underneath me on the turn.

‘‘I looked to come out then went to go back in trying to find some room.

‘‘The horse was going that well he wanted to take that small gap.’’

A former New Zealander, Coup Ay Tee is raced by Canterbury businessman Ray Coupland, who has invested heavily in the thoroughbred industry.

Waller was encouraged by Bayrir’s effort and said his next start was likely to be the Premier’s Cup

The horse was going that well he wanted to take that small gap Kiwi rider Jason Collett

(1800m). ‘‘He was the winner but it pleasing,’’ he said.

IN A sure sign the spring carnival is just around the corner, Jim Cassidy reminded his jockeys’ room colleagues why he is up with travelling like was still very the best at Rosehill. In his second race back from his annual winter break, Cassidy produced a confident ride on the Waller- trained Velrosso to win over 1200m.

Velrosso promised much early in his career, but a broken leg put paid to lofty ambitions, and yesterday’s win was the five- yearold’s fourth from 14 starts. Sent out favourite at $ 1.80, Velrosso came from the pack to beat Fireball ($ 5) by three- quarters of a length, a victory Cassidy said was in his keeping at the halfway mark after producing a new jingle.

‘‘I thought they might have gone a bit quick but he was travelling really well. I got a big cheeky at the 600 and let him come out around them.

‘‘I only had to ride him hands and heels. He had class on the rest of them.’’

The winner of 98 Group I races and determined to make it 100 this spring, former Kiwi rider Cassidy, 50, said he had not had to do too much to get back to peak fitness. I’ve been on a detox diet for two weeks. No coffee, no sugar and no beer.’’

‘‘I got up to 57 kilos on my holiday and came to the races today at 52.5.’’