After an autumn full of excusable race flops the Ryan Balfour-trained Adelaide galloper Cashed will continue his The Goodwood 2016 campaign with a run either at home at Morphettville or at Caulfield in Melbourne this weekend.
The Krupt four-year-old is nominated for the $120,000 Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) in South Australia on Saturday, as well as the $120,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield Racecourse.
Not seen in the winner’s stall since success over 1050m at Morphettville in September last year, the galloper travelled to Victoria during the spring and ran a brave second to Alpha Miss in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m).
That race saw him beat home Lankee Rupee (3rd) and in attempt to return-to-form, Balfour could again run Cashed at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Schillaci was the horse’s last time in the top three, his five subsequent runs producing a string of disappointing but excusable results.
First-up on March 5 he was ninth, beaten four lengths, behind current 2016 Stradbroke Handicap favourite Malaguerra in the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) down the Flemington straight.
His next run was at Oakbank in SA when sixth to Scratchy Lass over 1100m at a track that didn’t suit, before he drew wide with gate 15 of 18 in the Listed Manini Classic (1100m) to run 11th to reigning RN Irwin Stakes winner Daytona Grey at Morphettville.
“The original plan was at home in the Irwin, because he’s on track for the Goodwood Handicap,” Balfour told Racing Victoria on Monday.
“But last start in the Manihi, he drew off the track, and it’s great to have another option at Caulfield this Saturday in the same track and distance where he ran second in the Schillaci.
“He’s had three runs back this time in – they’re all forgive runs.
“We had to send him to Flemington first-up because there were no suitable races at home.
“He was only beaten four lengths – he over-raced a little bit early and settled up the straight, and had some of the quickest last sectionals.
“Oakbank didn’t suit him, and last start he drew 17.
“He’s really ready to go. We’re really happy with him.
“We think he’s set for a big run, we just need the right barrier, right track/distance and it’s good to have two options this Saturday.”
Other notable RN Irwin Stakes nominees this season include the aforementioned defending champ Daytona Grey, Lee & Anthony Freedman’s imported colt from Singapore Super One and Darren Weir’s returning Group 2 winner La Passe.
In Melbourne, the Bel Esprit Stakes attracted a bumper 29 nominations with weights for the handicap sprint led by the Robert Smerdon-trained Under The Louvre (60kg).
As mentioned, Cashed heads towards a run in the $500,000 Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 21 this Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival.
Balfour has had just the one previous unplaced The Goodwood runner, markets for this year’s event led by Black Heart Bart ($5.50) through Ladbrokes.com.au.
Darren Weir’s Blackfriars five-year-old has had three runs for his new stable, the Perth expat twice placed in Group 1 class this campaign when runner-up to The Quarterback in the Newmarket Handicap and second last weekend to English in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
To back your favourites in Adelaide this weekend and into the autumn Group 1s at the best prices make sure you’ve got an account open and ready to go at Ladbrokes.com.au!