A vintage front running ride from Jim Cassidy saw Steps In Time return to the winner’s stall in the Group 3 $125,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick today.

Steps In Time

Steps In Time has returned to the winner's stall in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap. Photo by: Steve Hart

Cassidy made it two wins on the trot after taking out the previous race, the Group 2 $175,000 Coolmore Tea Rose Stakes (1500m), on protest on the John Thompson trained Longport after being second past the post.

The veteran jockey was just as good in the stewards’ room as he was dictating terms on Steps In Time out in front and the John O’Shea mare went on to score a comfortable win over Said Com and Wild And Proud.

O’Shea is looking at Melbourne now that Steps In Time has regained her winning form after being unplaced at her two previous starts and has picked out the Group 2 $220,000 Yellowglen Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 20 as her Spring goal.

“I’ve been saying all along she’s going well in her work but she’s been failing to replicate that on raceday,” O’Shea said.

“We’ll take her to Melbourne for the race on Caulfield Cup day.”

“Then we’ll look at maybe the Coolmore Classic again in the autumn.”

Steps In Time finished eighth to Ofcourseican in this year’s$600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill in the Autumn and wants to give the five year another chance in the fillies and mares Group 1.

Cassidy rated Steps In Time perfectly in front and had the other runners struggling to keep in touch going over the rise and the mare went to the line strongly to score an overdue win.

“We’re not here to play marbles,” Cassidy said.

“I didn’t dig her at start and she relaxed well. I did give her a nice squeeze at the 600 metres and said ‘c’mon get on the muncher.”

Runner-up Said Com made up ground from the back without threatening Steps In Time while Wild And Proud battled on okay at the finish after racing on the pace.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.