Rob Heathcote, Larry Cassidy declare peace

Robert Heathcote and Larry Cassidy have put the band back together.

Years of antipathy ended in laughter and good-natured ribbing when Cassidy rode Bidii Babe to victory for Heathcote in the Cptn Kings Beach Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

“The righteous path to happiness is the willingness to forgive,” Heathcote said.

“The old firm is back together and while we’ve had our share of dramas in the past, I’ve never doubted Larry’s riding ability.”

The enmity between Heathcote and Cassidy set in after the controversial defeat of Trump at Doomben five years ago.

They parted company acrimoniously not long after but it was a chance meeting at the Eagle Farm car park a month ago which saw the iciness startr to thaw.

“One morning at trackwork he was getting out of his car as I was getting out of mine and he said ‘gee Rob I’d love to start riding for you again’,” Heathcote said.

“Since then he’s been riding work for me including this filly and here we are today.”

Cassidy recently returned to riding for the first time since June last year after suffering knee injuries from 30 years of wear and tear due to constant riding.

“I rode a lot of winners early on for Rob and it’s great to be back in the camp again,” he said.

“Since I started riding again I haven’t been on anything that’s worked as good as this mare.”

Heathcote is keen to target the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January with Bidii Babe.

The $2.20 favourite Mr Wind ruined his chances when he bungled the start before finishing sixth.

“Even though he blew the start I thought he was still a bit disappointing,” jockey Jeff Lloyd said.

“He was weak over the last furlong.”