Cassidy to continue run with Heathcote

Comeback jockey Larry Cassidy is set to continue his run of success with leading trainer Rob Heathcote on Kaiser Franz at Eagle Farm.

Cassidy, a multiple premiership winning jockey in Sydney and Brisbane, missed more than a year of riding with knee problems.

But he has been in fine form since returning in late August and has ridden 18 winners of which eight have been for Heathcote.

His winners have come from just 33 rides for Heathcote and also include eight minor placings.

Cassidy rode a double at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday including Storm Girl for Heathcote and a Slade Bloodstock syndicate.

“Things are going okay and the trainers have been very good to stick with me,” Cassidy said.

Kaiser Franz will tackle the in-form Emerald City from the David Vandyke stable in the 2200m-open handicap.

Three of the gelding’s six wins have been at the 2200m and Heathcote has gradually been increasing Kaiser Franz’s distance with each run this campaign.

Heathcote gets an extra kick out of Kaiser Franz winning as he went to great lengths to buy the son of Cox Plate winner Savabeel.

“I liked him at the kiwi sales and missed seeing him go through the ring. So I had to get him privately,’ Heathcote said.

Kaiser Franz has won nearly $200,000 prize money to more than repay his purchase price.