Improving sprinter Smart Cash earned himself a chance at the winter carnival with his Sunshine Coast track-record win on Saturday.
Smart Cash ($5.50) made a one-horse affair of the Coastline BMW X5 Handicap (1000m), leading all the way.
The gelding ran 56.33secs which bettered the course record of 56.53secs set by track specialist and star sprinter Rocky King.
Smart Cash ran the final 600m in a sizzling 32.77secs on a track with an uphill home straight.
He has now won four races and been minor placed three times for trainer Barry Lockwood.
“He has been very consistent for us and he deserves a shot at some of the winter carnival races,” Lockwood said.
“Maybe the Queensland Lightning over 1000 metres would be ideal for him.”
Meanwhile, versatile galloper Double Impact passed another test with flying colours when he won the Coastline BMW 3 Series Handicap.
Double Impact ($11) was having his first start at 2200m when he charged home from last in the middle stages to beat the favourite Jumbo Prince ($2.40) by 1-3/4 lengths.
Trainer Jackie Crompton said Double Impact kept surprising her with his ability to pass each test he was given.
“The whole idea of today’s race was to see if he could run 2200 metres. Now he has won we have plenty of options for him,” Crompton said.
“He won at 1000 metres for us at a two-year-old and now he has won a 2200-metre race as a six-year-old.”
A $35,000 buy as a yearling Double Impact has now won seven races and $421,600 in prize money.
