Jockey Larry Cassidy has paid a high price for the first defeat of Chakvetadze's career by being replaced by Stathi Katsidis in the Sun Ray Systems Handicap at Doomben.Trainer Michael Nolan bowed to owner John Hooper's request to have a change of rider after Chakvetadze finished sixth to Plain Magic in the Listed Nudgee Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on January 23.Cassidy obeyed instructions to lead on the four-year-old before she weakened noticeably over the final stages to finish almost three l

Jockey Larry Cassidy has paid a high price for the first defeat of Chakvetadze's career by being replaced by Stathi Katsidis in the Sun Ray Systems Handicap at Doomben.

Trainer Michael Nolan bowed to owner John Hooper's request to have a change of rider after Chakvetadze finished sixth to Plain Magic in the Listed Nudgee Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on January 23.

Cassidy obeyed instructions to lead on the four-year-old before she weakened noticeably over the final stages to finish almost three lengths behind Plain Magic.

Nolan insisted he had no issue with Cassidy's performance and would continue to use him in the future.

"It was the owner's decision," Nolan said.

"I wasn't disappointed with Larry's ride on her last start and he rode her to instructions.

"It wasn't a bad ride and he didn't slaughter her. It's just one of those things when an owner wants a change.

"Larry will be back on my horses. I don't have an issue with him and he rode a winner for me at Eagle Farm yesterday.

"It's just that John has had a previous association with Stathi as he's an old Toowoomba boy."

Katsidis has been in super form over the past month, winning the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast on Military Rose and the Karaka Million at Ellerslie on Sister Havana on Sunday.

Chakvetadze was given a clean bill of health after Nolan had her vetted following her shock defeat.

"I had her blood checked and the vet went all over her and everything is fine," Nolan said.

"In hindsight, it might not have been the right thing to do to lead on her last time and she won't be leading on Saturday."

Nolan blamed the frantic pace and a lack of solid racing as the probable cause of the defeat of Chakvetadze who had won her previous seven starts.

"The fact that it was so long between runs and stepping up to 1200 metres didn't help," he said.

"She's a lot fitter now and it's the same distance on Saturday."

Chakvetadze was barred and ordered to barrier trial before being allowed to race again after she played up going into the barriers prior to her win over 1010 metres at Doomben on December 19.

Chakvetadze is still in line for a trip to Sydney for the autumn if she can bounce back to winning form.

"If she doesn't win she won't be going south but if she does then she might go down for some fillies and mares races including the Millie Fox," he said.

Nolan is mystified how handicappers raised Chakvetadze half a kilogram to 58 kilos following her recent failure.

However, the daughter of Taimazov will be meeting Plain Magic two kilos better after the Kelly Schweida-trained mare was penalised 2.5kg for her win.

"I'm not happy with her weight. She goes up half a kilogram for running second last," Nolan said.

"She's improved a lot since her last run and I'm pretty confident we can turn the tables on Plain Magic."