Two years ago Canberra trainer Todd Smart executed a plan to win the $200,000 Inglis Scone Challenge with a gelding called Love Shuck and he repeated the achievement at Scone again this Friday with another speedy youngster in Cashbook.
Purchased for $28,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale last year by Todd Smart Racing / Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA), Cashbook disappointed when finishing unplaced on debut at Wagga last month.
Smart never lost sight of the big picture though and had no hesitation heading to Scone for the lucrative 1100m scamper with quality Sydney jockey Adam Hyeronimus to take the ride on the son of Flying Artie.
Cashbook produced the goods when it counted, racing forward for Hyeronimus and kicking hard in the straight to surge clear and win by a length.
“He wanted to go a little bit quick, but it was a good ride and he had a bit of luck,” said an elated Todd Smart.
“It's just such a joy to be here and do it again. It's unbelievable!”
Cashbook picked up over $130,000 for his first win and Adam Hyeronimus believes there is much more to come.
“I know we're late into the season now, but he's probably not really a two-year-old so for him to do that today, I think it's a very big positive for him and his career,” he said.
“I think as a three-year-old once he matures over seven furlongs or even a mile, he'll be a nice horse.”
Bred by Julia Ritchie’s Bangaloe Stud Syndicate, Cashbook is the second winner from Madonnica, a winning Snitzel mare from the family of stakes-winners Balf’s Choice and Me Me Lagarde.
Madonnica was on-sold last year through Inglis Digital online for $16,000 and produced a filly last spring by Jacquinot for her new owners.
Cashbook is another bright prospect for Blue Gum Farm’s Flying Artie, who is a great proven value option in Victoria.
