Darley Stud’s Epaulette can sure get a runner and you don’t have to pay a million dollars for them, which makes him very attractive for syndicators like Prime Thoroughbreds Joe O’Neil.
At the 2018 National Weanling Sale, O’Neil took a liking to Cornerstone Stud’s Epaulette colt out of the Secret Savings mare Miss Piggy Bank and when the gavel fell O’Neil had last say at $37,500.
Named Mr Cashman and sent to Patrick Payne, the son of Epaulette made his career debut over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley on Saturday and could not have been more impressive.
Looking the consummate professional, Mr Cashman travelled sweetly in third place for Billy Egan and when eased out to make his run he gave nothing else a chance.
The well-supported Brazen Beau colt Larimer Street found himself back in last when inconvenienced by Always Chattin' who parted company with Michael Poy. Craig Williams set Larimer Street alight at the 600 metres and was second turning for home, but he had no answer to the finish of Mr Cashman who went on to win by one and three-quarter lengths with the Fighting Sun colt Flinders River a length back in third.
O’Neil explained what appealed to him about Mr Cashman as a weanling.
“I bought him for $37,500 as a weanling. I went to Cornerstone to have a look at him and went and to the Gold Coast to purchase him at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale,” O’Neil said.
“His sister had a bit of ability and I just love Epaulette as a stallion, he’s going to be a really good sire.
“This bloke had a lot of class and Patrick liked him from day one. The first time he rode him he said everything he does tells me he’s is a good horse.
“He’s very athletic, I don’t like big heavy horses, he was a medium size with a lovely head, a good looking horse and when he walked I thought you’ve got a bit of class. He reminds me a lot of Husson Eagle.”
Mr Cashman is the fifth winner from as many to race out of the stakes-placed Secret Savings mare Miss Pigg Bank who was purchased by Hancock Quality Bloodstock for $25,000 at the 2013 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Her dam Fawayez is a half-sister to the Group III VATC Diamond Prelude winner Faiza (Danehill) from the family of Khozaam, Canadian Mill, Hawajiss, Nashville and Sydney’s Dream.
Miss Piggy Bank has a yearling colt by Sebring.
Epaulette has four lots catalogued or the Gold Coast in January, nine at the Inglis Classic and three at the Inglis Premier.
