Cashing Up is currently available at 2015 Canonbury Stakes odds of $19 and is the outsider of the field in the betting, but trainer John Sargent believes that the promising colt could surprise in the Group 3 event at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Cashing Up made his first public appearance when he finished third in a barrier trial over 733 metres at Royal Randwick on December 30 and he finished ahead of Canonbury Stakes rival Vancouver when third in a trial at Royal Randwick on January 15.
Sargent admits that he has thrown Cashing Up in the deep end for his racing debut, but he told Racing Ahead that he is happy with the condition of the Ad Valorem colt and feels that the juvenile is not without a chance in the Canonbury Stakes.
“We are throwing him in the deep end,” Sargent said.
“He trialed ok last start and he beat a couple that are in the race that are favored.
“I think that if I am happy with him come Saturday morning he will go around.
“It is a small field and they are all two-year-olds.
“The track with the sting out we don’t know, so it is a bit of a gamble, but I am quite happy with the horse and you don’t know until raceday if they step-up.
“He is a chance without being up with the high flyers of Gai’s or whatever, but he is fit and well and I wouldn’t be starting him if he didn’t have a chance.”
Cashing Up was settled just behind the leaders in his two barrier trial appearances ahead of his racing debut and Sargent said that he will be expecting jockey Sam Clipperton to settle the two-year-old in a similar position in the Canonbury Stakes, while the likes of New South Wales Breeders Plate winner Vancouver and Team Snowden-trained Outreach battle for the lead in the early stages.
“He will sit just behind the speed,” Sargent said.
“He has good speed and I am very happy with him.”
Outreach has been easily the best backed runner in 2015 Canonbury Stakes betting markets and is into $2.80 after opening at $3.70; with the full-brother to 2013 Golden Slipper winner Overreach now a clear favourite from Vancouver ($3.70), Mawahibb ($3.90), Chamarel ($5), Ulster ($6.50) and Cashing Up ($19).