Race 9 — 4:45PM YOUR LOCAL GREENGROCER HANDICAP (1100 METRES). Winner 'Viridine' ridden by Rory Hutchings. Thrown from Viridine after the race.

John O’Shea, the outgoing Godolphin trainer, wasn’t trackside for Viridine’s debut win, albeit narrowly over Envy Of All, trained by the man many believe will be his successor, James Cummings.

Viridine’s success in the Fresh For Kids Handicap (1100m) gave O’Shea a winner on his final day as Godolphin’s official trainer. But the head training position at Godolphin is now vacant, although Darren Beadman has agreed to step in as interim trainer until an appointment is made.

Cummings has played a straight bat with the media since his name was linked with Godolphin a week ago and reiterated: “I have not been made an offer.’’

Who will eventually be appointed as Godolphin’s new trainer is still anyone’s guess but what is certain is that the stable has a promising youngster in Viridine.

Well backed into $4.80, Viridine got up in the last stride to edge out favourite Envy Of All ($3.80) in a desperately close finish with Ipso Facto ($17) nearly a length away third.

The photo finish verdict took longer than expected to declare Viridine the winner and then a problem with the semaphore board meant the finishing numbers weren’t immediately posted — and the drama didn’t end there.

Viridine took an unexpected sidestep 100m past the post which caught comeback jockey Rory Hutchings unawares and resulted in the rider taking a harmless tumble.

Viridine edged out the favourite Envy Of All at Rosehill on Saturday.Source:News Corp Australia

An embarrassed Hutchings was left to walk back to the jockey’s room but it was impossible to wipe the smile from his face.

“This is my first Saturday in Sydney since last November,’’ Hutchings said. “I went back home to New Zealand and had a couple of months off. I just needed a bit of a break.

“But my weight is coming good, I rode at 57kg today, and it is great to return with a winner.’’

Hutchings was Sydney’s champion apprentice last season before coming out of his time and despite his extended break from racing, Viridine was his 12th city success this season and he remains in the top 20 of the Sydney jockeys’ premiership.

The young jockey predicted a bright future for Viridine who may have done enough to join Godolphin’s Brisbane winter carnival team.

Rory Hutchings sees the funny side of his tumble after the post on Viridine.Source:News Corp Australia

“Viridine is a very exciting horse with plenty of upside,’’ Hutchings said. “He has a lot of natural ability but he is still very new. He wanted to race quite keenly today, perhaps because he was a bit fresh and above himself but he got the job done nicely.’’

Hutchings was held up behind the leaders until well into the straight but eventually got the colt to the outside of Envy Of All and ran that filly down on the line.

“I knew if he didn’t win he would have been a certainty beaten,’’ Hutchings said. “I wasn’t sure if I had got there on the line as the other horse kicked back hard so it was a good effort to get up and win. This is my first winner in these colours (Godolphin’s famous royal blue colours) and a big confidence boost for me.’’

Originally published as Viridine sends O’Shea out a winner