Larry Cassidy owns up to tactical blunder

Saturday 8 December 2012, 3:51pm

Nobody understands better than Larry Cassidy the consequences of split-second decisions made by jockeys.

Excellent Al finished seventh as a $3.20 favourite at Eagle Farm on Saturday with Cassidy blaming himself for the three-year-old's defeat.

When Excellent Al was caught three deep in the middle stages of the Class Six Handicap (2134m), Cassidy told stewards he erred by pressing forward to the lead.

"When I was stranded three deep I had a peep to see if there was an available spot on my inside but I would've had to go back to last to get in," Cassidy said.

"So I decided to slide forward, hoping if they sped up the field would spread and I'd be able to slot in.

"But they actually slowed and when I came up to join them they got going again and by then I was committed to going forward."

Cassidy says in hindsight he should've have remained in the three-deep position rather than persisting with taking Excellent Al to the lead.

"I wish I'd just sat three deep because I would've been better off facing the breeze in fifth place," he said.

"I'm disappointed in myself."

Winning trainer Bryan Guy is plotting a Magic Millions Cup program for consistent mare Anagold.

"I'll start her in a 2200-metre race at Doomben in a couple of weeks then freshen her up to drop back to the 1800 metres of the Magic Millions Stayers Cup," Guy said.

– AAP

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