David Casey© Photo Healy Racing
David Casey is the man entrusted by Willie Mullins to accompany Max Dynamite to Hong Kong.
He also oversaw preparations in Australia when the dual-purpose performer ran a blinder in the Melbourne Cup, and Casey and Mullins go back a long way.
The transition to Mullins' right-hand man from the saddle all happened very suddenly.
Casey said: "It was all very quick. I literally headed to Melbourne a week after my last ride but I'd known about it for some time. Willie had told me there was a job for me, given I knew his system, whenever I chose to retire.
"Ruby (Walsh), of course, was number one at the stable but I was always happy with the opportunities which came my way, and several of those were in France where I managed to win three Grade Ones and a Grade Three.
"I think I rode 40 or 50 winners on the Flat and about 800 over the jumps and I did win a Listed race on the Flat."
That was in the 2001 Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on Mouse Morris' Rostropovich, and he beat none other than the following year's Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle.
"I had a stint with Mouse and with Charlie Swan but all the while I'd ride three days a week for Willie, so we've been together a long time," he said.
Regarding Max Dynamite at the weekend, Casey said: "The horse is fit and well. It's no easy task on Sunday but he's done well and if he could pick up some prize money, that would be grand."
