David Smyth is not a headliner.
You can't be when the major stables prepare 45 to 60 horses.
David Smyth takes about 10 seconds to have his first oversee of his horses each morning.
About the same amount of time it took one of them, Strapped For Cash, to put the opposition to the sword in Saturday's Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie.
Shockingly wet conditions in winter racing set themselves up for the odd horse that can manage them.
Saturday was Strapped For Cash's day for that.
To say he managed the conditions better than the others is almost ridiculous.
Try exclusively.
Except that isn't quite true.
Second-placed Indikator handled the footing beautifully, but Strapped For Cash handled them nine lengths better.
Andrew Calder had the best call on the winner.
Both horses were almost together on the home turn.
Strapped For Cash led and Indikator sneaked up on to almost his hindquarters on the home bend.
Forget placings changing from there.
The winner charged away and Indikator proved his ability in the conditions by being 12 lengths ahead of third. Horses to follow: Golden Silence, El Perez.
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