Trainer Wendy Kelly was thrilled with talented gelding Fast Cash’s commanding victory first-up on January 3rd and believes the three-year-old is more than capable of performing in Monday’s Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1300m) at Sandown.
Fast Cash will leave from barrier 2 in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell
Jumping from the gates well in the Gold Carat Open (1200m) on January 3rd, Fast Cash settled in prime position on the heels of the race’s early leaders; receiving a good run in transit before displaying an exceptional turn of foot late to finish close to two lengths in the clear of closest rival Tudor.
Yet to line up for a race at Group level, Kelly has been thrilled with the form and class displayed by the son of Charge Forward in recent weeks and, while conceding his campaign is all about testing the boundaries, is confident of a successful performance in the Manfred Stakes.
“This preparation, we’re just having a look at him. We’re just working out where he sits in the whole scheme of things,” Kelly told AAP.
“He’s a horse that didn’t appear to get the 1400-metres at his last run last preparation but in saying that I think he had had enough by then and did not race up to his best that day.
“He has come back a stronger horse so we just want to try him over a few different distances and get a bit of a gauge as to where he’s going to fit in the whole scheme of his racing.”
Yet to confirm a specific path for Fast Cash this season, Kelly revealed he will be nominated for the featured Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7th, but may prove to be not up to class.
“We’ll see how he goes over the 1300-metres this time,” Kelly said.
“We really haven’t got anything specific mapped out for him.
“I think he’s going to be a very nice, handy horse. He’s definitely Saturday class, maybe just a little bit better than that.”
Debuting for an impressive victory in the Murray Downs Plate (979m) on July 28th, Fast Cash continued to impress in running second in a minor over 1100m before placing a close second to Rich Enuff in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) and returned to the paddock after placing sixth in the Listed Living Legends Stakes (1400m) on September 13th.
Allocated the ideal barrier 2 for the Manfred Stakes, Fast Cash has been confirmed to be partnered by jockey Vlad Duric.
